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“Lemonade Blessing” Film Details

• Runtime: 1 Hour(s) and 40 Minutes
• Date Seen: June 6, 2025 (Film Festival – Tribeca Film Festival 2025)

• Released On: In Theaters
• Public Release Date: June 5, 2025 (Tribeca Film Festival)
• Director(s): Chris Merola
• Writer(s): Chris Merola
• Genre(s): Comedy, Drama, Romance, Young Adult, Religious
• Rating: Not Rated

Summary

John is coming of age in what could be seen as less than ideal circumstances. His mother is very religious, his dad passive in his upbringing, he is starting freshman year at a Catholic school and his friend, Angelo, amongst the rest of the group, enjoy porn and are a bit more vulgar about sex and life than John. Which isn’t to say John hasn’t had an interest in sex; Mass Effect’s intimacy scene is one of his favorites, but with his mom being who she is, alone time isn’t really an option.

Enter Lilith, someone who claims to be an atheist, unlike John and his mom, who are firmly Catholic, but there is something about her tempting enough for John to give in to sin, and she pushes him to do blasphemous things, a lot. However, this is his first love, his first exploration into dating, so he is torn between his faith, wanting to walk the path his mom set, and keep this girl who is exposing him to so many things, including pleasure.

Cast and Characters

John (Jake Ryan)

• Check out other productions we’ve covered starring this actor: [Link to Actor’s Tag]

• Character Summary: John is a teenage boy, devoutly Catholic, but also coming of age. Because of this, when he meets a girl he relates to in Lilith, he doesn’t hesitate to strike up a conversation, ask her out, and try to be a good boyfriend. However, in pursuit of what he thinks a boyfriend is supposed to do, he becomes willing to do a lot, which conflicts with his faith.

Lilith (Skye Alyssa Friedman)

• Check out other productions we’ve covered starring this actor: [Link to Actor’s Tag]
• Character Summary: A self-proclaimed atheist, who loves to draw and fantasy, Lilith comes from a household that is very strict and ruled by her father’s beliefs. Because of this, Lilith is a bit rebellious and with John by her side, she pushes him to rebel despite him seeming relatively comfortable with who he is and his relationship with his primary caretaker, Mary.

Angelo (Myles J. Harvey)

• Check out other productions we’ve covered starring this actor: [Link to Actor’s Tag]
• Character Summary: Angelo is one of the first friends John makes, and Angelo is a bit out there. He likes videos that raise an eyebrow, is more than willing to tease John, yet there is a vulnerable side to him. Mind you, not one he likes to show often, but with John in his life, maybe he could set a good example.

Mary aka John’s Mom (Jeanine Serralles)

• Check out other productions we’ve covered starring this actor: [Link to Actor’s Tag]
• Character Summary: While divorce hangs over her head like an axe, Mary does her best as a single mother to guide John on the right path. Which, yes, can make her seem overbearing, but considering how John’s father is, you’d want to keep a close eye on your kid too.

Pete aka John’s Dad (Todd Gearhart)

• Check out other productions we’ve covered starring this actor: [Link to Actor’s Tag]
• Character Summary: Pete is by no means the best dad, but he is what John has, and he tries to make the relationship work. However, Pete doesn’t seem notably invested in John’s development, struggles, or even his first relationship. Which leaves John going through the motions but largely left on his own in his journey of self-discovery.

Why Is “Lemonade Blessing” Not Rated?

• Dialog:
  • Cursing: Occasional
  • Innuendo: Moderate
• Sexual Content:
  • Nudity: None
  • Sexual Situations: Implied

Links

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• Official Site Link

Review and Commentary

Highlight(s)

The Intense Struggles Of A First Relationship Between John And Lilith [86/100]

With both John and Lilith coming from families with unhealthy examples of love, watching their struggle with discovering and forming their own at times is heartbreaking. With Lilith lacking control in her household and her dad ruling with an iron fist while her mom is often silent, she finds power through John’s love. By testing how far he will go, it seems she is trying to learn how boundless his feelings can be and if there are limits to what she can ask, expect, and considering how she likes to draw fantasy characters, it seems she wants to see beyond the happily ever after and know what prince charming can be capable of. Which, poor John seems willing to submit to.

However, what’s tricky about all this is that the relationship was born out of John’s own loneliness, and he initiated pursuing her. You see, like Lilith, John is seeking a genuine connection that doesn’t come with strings and criteria attached to it. He knows, in many ways, he is an outsider, but that doesn’t remove his need to be accepted, seen in a positive light, and wanted by someone he has reciprocal feelings for.

So in Lilith being willing to hang out, have him meet her family, go on dates, and accept being his girlfriend, there was a level of assumed acceptance and while not desperate, you can see her tests as his means to prove he could be trusted, safe, and maybe was willing to make up for him not standing up for her when he met her dad.

I’d even say, seeing both struggle with defining love, and creating something stable, and getting this sense both feel insecure, maybe unworthy, makes you all the more invested in them and maybe a bit teary eyed as they reach inevitable conversations, or outright arguments, which require both being mature enough for this relationship to not end in a dramatic fashion.

The Conflict of Faith and Coming of Age [83/100]

For most, the teen years are an age of discovery. You discover who you are, what you believe, and begin to see your parents for who they are and not who they say. It could be submitted that faith can get in the way, disrupt, delay, or completely impede that. For John, the fear of hell, judgement, and becoming like his dad scares him into submission.

Granted, he is Catholic, so guilt comes with the territory, and what is shown, while there is a sense of community built in, the support seems to be more focused on restraint than uplift, especially when it comes to desires or struggles. So, as much as John made the first move, regarding Lilith, his faith limits him from going further.

It may offer peace, but it doesn’t resolve his inner conflicts. Truly, Lemonade Blessing offers a comical but nuanced take on being a religious young person without being so beholden that you would prefer the safety of ignorance over the joy of living.

On The Fence

Wishing More Was Done With The Dad And Angelo [78/100]

When it comes to John’s relationship with his father or friend Angelo, it can feel like more could and should have been done. With his father, I wished they explored what led to him divorcing his mom, went into the allegation of him cheating, and just fleshed out the man beyond making it seem his relationship to John is purely to satisfy a custody agreement.

Then with Angelo, they really dropped the ball. Being that John was the most bold of his friend group, Angelo potentially the second, I wish he could have guided him. Considering how nearly every name of a character has a biblical meaning, and some do play up that role, I wish John could have gave Angelo the ins and outs of loving, or trying to love, someone.

Take note, Angelo’s knowledge of relationships stems from porn and venues like that, and while John and Lilith may have a complicated relationship, he is the first of his group to not only hand hold and kiss, but do far more. So, considering that and Angelo has a crush on one of Lilith’s friends or associates, it would have been cool to see John’s own power and influence, especially in light of how Lilith holds hers over him.

I’d even add, considering a tiff the two boys have, bypassing the opportunity for a conversation to push Angelo as he did before, at a birthday party, feels like a missed opportunity at redemption, considering all John does throughout the movie.

Overall

Our Rating (82/100): Positive (Worth Seeing)

Lemonade Blessing is a tender, coming-of-age drama that explores first love, faith, and the emotional weight of adolescence. At its core is the intense, often heartbreaking relationship between John and Lilith, two teens trying to define love while carrying the emotional baggage of their parents’ dysfunctional relationships. But while focused on John’s first love, Lemonade Blessing doesn’t shy away from the inner turmoil religion can bring during formative years, especially when it stifles personal growth and intimacy. It offers a nuanced, at times comedic, perspective on navigating belief and desire without leaning too heavily on stereotypes or cynicism.

Yet, while standout performances and themes anchor the story, some character dynamics—especially John’s strained relationship with his father and underdeveloped friendship with Angelo—feel underserved. Nonetheless, Lemonade Blessing succeeds in delivering a layered, heartfelt narrative that balances romantic drama with spiritual and emotional introspection.

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