Candy Jar

Inside Netflix’s "Candy Jar": The Rom-Com That Brought TV Stars and Teen Talent Together

Netflix’s 2018 rom-com Candy Jar might not have broken box-office records, but it carved out a niche as a star-studded, feel-good project with an unexpected mix of TV veterans and rising young actors. Directed by Ben Shelton in his feature debut, the film blended high-school rivalry with a dash of The Breakfast Club energy—all wrapped in a candy-coated Netflix original. latestnetflix.com's read is that here’s what we know about the making of this under-the-radar gem.

A Director’s First Feature: Ben Shelton’s Leap from Shorts to Netflix

Before Candy Jar, Ben Shelton was best known for his work in short films and commercials. The 2018 rom-com marked his first foray into feature-length storytelling, a transition that likely came with its share of pressure. While the evidence doesn’t detail Shelton’s pre-Candy Jar filmography, the film’s existence suggests Netflix took a chance on a fresh voice in the genre .

What’s clear is that Shelton’s direction leaned into the film’s lighthearted tone. Trailers and clips highlight the movie’s bright, almost John Hughes-esque aesthetic, with a focus on witty banter and competitive chemistry between its leads . Whether Shelton’s vision fully translated to the final cut remains a matter of debate—SensCritique users rated the film a middling 5.1/10, though the sample size (352 votes) is modest .

The Cast: A Mix of TV Icons and Breakout Stars

Candy Jar assembled a cast that read like a who’s-who of TV royalty and up-and-coming talent. Here’s the breakdown:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wSHHgYg8fE

• Christina Hendricks and Uzo Aduba: The Mad Men and Orange Is the New Black alums played the mothers of the film’s feuding teen protagonists. Their involvement likely lent the project credibility, though their roles were supporting rather than central. Aduba, in particular, has since become a household name, making her appearance a fun pre-Mrs. America credit .
• Helen Hunt and Tom Bergeron: Hunt, an Oscar winner, and Bergeron, the longtime host of Dancing with the Stars, added star power in smaller roles. Bergeron’s YouTube interview about the film suggests he enjoyed the change of pace from live TV, calling it a “star-studded” project .

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcIqI6IbJhM

• Sami Gayle and Jacob Latimore: The film’s leads were already familiar faces to teen audiences. Gayle, known for Blue Bloods, and Latimore, a singer-actor with credits like The Maze Runner, played the rival debaters whose animosity turns to romance. Their chemistry was a focal point of the marketing, with trailers and clips (including a much-discussed kissing scene) hyping their on-screen dynamic .
• Tracey Bonner, Paul Tigue, and Evan Castelloe: Rounding out the cast were character actors who brought depth to the high-school setting. Bonner, in particular, has since become a recognizable face in TV dramas like The Resident.

The cast’s blend of established and emerging talent was a selling point for Netflix, though the film’s reception suggests the ensemble didn’t quite elevate it to must-watch status.

Behind the Script: Chad Klitzman’s Rom-Com Formula

The film’s screenplay was penned by Chad Klitzman, who also co-starred in a YouTube interview with Sami Gayle to promote the movie . While the evidence doesn’t reveal much about Klitzman’s writing process, his involvement in the project hints at a hands-on approach to shaping the story’s tone.

Candy Jar follows two high-achieving high-school debaters—Lona (Gayle) and Bennett (Latimore)—who are forced to team up for a national competition. Their rivalry, fueled by personal and academic pride, eventually gives way to romance, a plot that leans heavily on the enemies-to-lovers trope. The film’s title refers to a literal jar of candy used as a metaphor for their clashing personalities, though whether the metaphor lands is up for debate .

Klitzman’s script likely aimed for a balance of humor and heart, but the film’s mixed reception suggests it didn’t fully resonate with audiences. Some viewers might have found the premise too predictable, while others appreciated its lighthearted charm.

The Netflix Effect: Why the Film Flew Under the Radar

Despite its star power, Candy Jar never became a breakout hit. Several factors may have contributed to its muted impact:

• Timing: Released in 2018, the film arrived during a boom in Netflix originals, competing with bigger titles like To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (which dropped the same year). Candy Jar’s lower-key marketing may have left it overshadowed.
• Genre Fatigue: Rom-coms were (and are) a crowded space on streaming platforms. Without a unique hook or viral moment, Candy Jar struggled to stand out.
• Mixed Reviews: While Rotten Tomatoes doesn’t provide a critic score for the film, user ratings on SensCritique suggest it didn’t leave a lasting impression . The 5.1/10 average isn’t damning, but it’s not a ringing endorsement either.

That said, the film’s existence is a testament to Netflix’s willingness to greenlight mid-budget projects with ensemble casts. For fans of the actors involved, it’s a fun, if forgettable, addition to their filmographies.

The Verdict: A Sweet but Forgettable Treat

Candy Jar may not have been a critical darling or a cultural phenomenon, but it’s a solid example of Netflix’s strategy in the late 2010s: throw a mix of TV stars and young talent into a familiar rom-com formula and see what sticks. For viewers who stumbled upon it, the film delivered exactly what it promised—a light, candy-coated distraction with just enough charm to pass 92 minutes.

Would a sequel or a director’s cut have changed its legacy? Probably not. But for those who enjoy digging into the behind-the-scenes of underrated films, Candy Jar offers a glimpse into the streaming era’s trial-and-error approach to content.