Purple Hearts (2022) Movie: Sofia Carson’s Netflix Romance Divided Critics and Audiences
Netflix’s Purple Hearts walks into familiar romantic territory but carries some heavy baggage along the way. Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum directs this marriage-of-convenience tale starring Sofia Carson and Nicholas Galitzine in roles that demand more emotional range than typical romance films.
The story puts Cassie Salazar (Carson), a cash-strapped musician battling diabetes, alongside Luke Morrow (Galitzine), a Marine facing serious money troubles. Their solution involves a legally questionable wedding that could land them both in serious trouble.
A Story That Tries Too Hard
What starts as a simple fake marriage plot becomes something more complicated when real-world issues crash the party. Cassie needs health insurance for her expensive medication while Luke owes dangerous people money he doesn’t have.
When Luke gets badly hurt overseas, their pretend relationship suddenly becomes very real. The shift from fake to genuine happens faster than it should, making some emotional moments feel rushed rather than earned.
Performances That Carry the Load
Carson brings genuine vulnerability to Cassie, especially when showing her character’s health struggles and financial stress. Her singing voice adds authentic moments that feel natural rather than shoehorned into the story.
Galitzine handles Luke’s complexity well, showing a soldier dealing with addiction and trauma without falling into obvious stereotypes. I found his quieter moments more convincing than his tough-guy scenes.
Music That Actually Matters
The musical sequences work because they serve the story instead of stopping it cold. Carson’s voice fits her character perfectly, and the songs reflect Cassie’s emotional journey throughout the film.
The title song hits the right emotional notes without being too obvious about it. Production-wise, everything looks professional enough for streaming, though nothing jumps out as particularly memorable visually.
When Critics and Viewers Disagree
Professional reviewers hammered this film hard, giving it just 30% on Rotten Tomatoes. They criticized its political messaging and questioned how it handles military life and marriage fraud themes.
Regular viewers told a different story, rating it 6.7/10 on IMDb across thousands of reviews. This gap shows how differently critics and audiences can see the same movie.
The Good and the Problematic
The film deserves credit for tackling real problems like medical debt and military financial struggles. Both leads commit fully to their roles, making their relationship growth believable when it works.
But the political elements feel clumsy and forced. Some plot turns happen because the script needs them to, not because they make sense for the characters. Supporting players get shortchanged with thin roles.
Audience Numbers Don’t Lie
Despite harsh reviews, Purple Hearts became a massive Netflix hit with over 100 million viewing hours in just two weeks. This proves that sometimes what critics hate is exactly what audiences want to watch.
The film divided viewers along political lines, with some loving its approach to military themes while others found it offensive. Social media discussions became heated debates about representation and politics.
Bottom Line Assessment
This movie succeeds when it focuses on two people falling in love despite their differences. It stumbles when trying to make bigger statements about politics and society that it can’t quite handle.
The chemistry between Carson and Galitzine carries the weaker moments, and the music adds genuine emotional weight. It’s not groundbreaking cinema, but it delivers the romantic drama goods for its target audience.
Rating: 3.5/5
