Finding a movie that actually sticks with you is tough. Usually, it's just background noise while you scroll on your phone, but every once in a while, a story comes along that feels like a punch to the gut. In a good way. That’s basically the vibe of Kiss and Cry. If you're looking to watch Kiss and Cry, you aren't just looking for a figure skating flick; you're looking for the true story of Carley Allison. It’s raw. It’s Canadian. And yeah, it’s a massive tear-jerker.
What is Kiss and Cry actually about?
Most people go into this thinking it’s a typical sports underdog story. You know the trope: girl falls, girl trains hard, girl wins the gold. This isn't that. It’s a biopic about Carley Allison, a competitive figure skater and singer from Toronto who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer—clear cell sarcoma—at just 17 years old.
The title refers to the "Kiss and Cry" corner at skating rinks. That’s the little bench where skaters sit with their coaches to wait for their scores after a performance. It’s a place of peak anxiety, joy, or heartbreak. For Carley, life became one long stay in that corner.
The coolest thing about the film? Sarah Fisher plays Carley. In real life, Sarah was Carley’s actual best friend. You can't fake that kind of chemistry on screen. When you see Sarah crying, she isn't just "acting." She's mourning her friend. It makes the whole experience feel less like a polished Hollywood production and more like a home movie with a high budget.
Where can you watch Kiss and Cry right now?
Streaming rights are a total mess these days. One week a movie is on Netflix, the next it's vanished into the digital void of "not available in your region." Honestly, it’s annoying.
👉 See also: Is Heroes and Villains Legit? What You Need to Know Before Buying
- Netflix: For a long time, Netflix was the primary home for Kiss and Cry globally. As of early 2026, it still pops up in various territories, especially in North America.
- Amazon Prime Video: You can usually find it here for rent or purchase if it isn't included in the "free with Prime" rotation.
- YouTube Movies & Google TV: This is often the most reliable "pay-per-view" option.
- Tubi or Pluto TV: Since it’s an independent Canadian film (directed by Sean Cisterna), it occasionally hits these free, ad-supported platforms.
If you're searching and coming up empty, it might be a licensing gap in your country. Use a search aggregator like JustWatch. It saves you the headache of clicking through five different apps just to find out a movie costs five bucks.
Why this movie blew up on social media
It’s the "TikTok effect."
Small, emotional indie films often find a second life years after release because someone clips a 30-second scene of a character losing their hair or singing through a tracheotomy. Kiss and Cry went viral because Carley Allison was a real person who documented her journey on YouTube. People love authenticity.
The film captures her "7 in 3.5 billion" diagnosis—a statistic so rare it sounds made up. It wasn't. Carley really was a medical anomaly. She was the first person known to have this specific cancer in her trachea. The movie doesn't shy away from the medical grit, but it balances it with her relationship with John Servinis.
✨ Don't miss: Jack Blocker American Idol Journey: What Most People Get Wrong
The music is the heartbeat of the film
Carley was a singer. She famously sang the national anthem at an NHL game while recovering.
The soundtrack includes her actual voice. That’s the detail that usually gets people. You’re watching an actor play her, but you’re hearing the real Carley sing. It bridges the gap between fiction and reality in a way that most biopics fail to do. "Free to Be Me" isn't just a song in the movie; it was her anthem.
Critical reception vs. Fan reality
Critics can be snobs. Some reviews called the film "sentimental" or "melodramatic."
Okay, sure.
🔗 Read more: Why American Beauty by the Grateful Dead is Still the Gold Standard of Americana
But if you’ve ever dealt with a sick family member or lost a friend young, "melodramatic" is just what reality feels like. Fans rank this movie much higher than critics do because it feels honest. It’s 1 hour and 35 minutes of feeling everything at once. It’s rated PG, so it’s safe for teenagers, which is a big reason why it remains a staple for "sad movie night" marathons.
How to support the cause after watching
The film ends, the credits roll, and you’re probably sitting there with a pile of tissues. What now?
The Allison family didn't just let the story end with the movie. They started Carley’s Angels. It’s a foundation focused on providing "holistic" cancer care—things like massage therapy, specialized nutrition, and psychological support that traditional insurance often ignores.
- Check out the official website: CarleysAngels.ca.
- Watch the real Carley: Her YouTube channel still exists. Seeing the "real" version of the scenes you just watched in the movie adds a whole new layer of depth.
- Spread the word: The film survives on word-of-mouth.
Actionable steps for your viewing experience
Don't just jump into this movie blindly. You'll regret it if you aren't prepared.
- Hydrate. Seriously. You’re going to cry, and a headache is a bad way to end a movie night.
- Verify your stream. Check JustWatch or Reelgood before you settle in with your popcorn to make sure it hasn't moved platforms.
- Watch the "making of" clips. Look up interviews with Sarah Fisher and Sean Cisterna. Understanding the grief they were processing while filming makes the performance ten times more impactful.
- Support rare cancer research. If the movie moves you, consider a small donation to a sarcoma research fund. These "orphan" cancers get way less funding than more common ones.
Kiss and Cry stays relevant because Carley’s message was "always smile." It sounds cheesy until you realize she said it while she couldn't breathe. That kind of strength is rare. That's why we keep watching.