Starman
A grieving widow is pulled into a cross-country escape with an alien wearing her dead husband's face, discovering unexpected love along the way.
Overview
An alien visitor takes on human form, leading to unexpected romance and self-discovery.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- tender
- reflective
- witty
- date night
- nostalgic movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film a sweet, effective science fiction romance elevated by Jeff Bridges's disarming performance and John Carpenter's careful direction.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The alien models himself on Jenny's dead husband, Scott Hayden, making physical resemblance central to the relationship.
Jenny and the Starman travel toward a desert rendezvous while their wary partnership becomes a romance.
Much of the humor and tenderness comes from the Starman adapting to human language, food, customs, and romance.
Government and military pursuit contrasts with the alien's peaceful intentions and the film's sympathetic view of extraterrestrial life.
Films like Starman, and why
The Shape of Water
shared blend of extraterrestrial encounter, tender romance, and fish out of water humor
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
shared intimate human-alien relationship, emotional warmth, and science fiction drama
The Adjustment Bureau
shared road movie structure, romantic connection, and gentle speculative premise
Movie Details
- Director
- John Carpenter
- Release Date
- 1984-12-13
- Runtime
- 115 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (1056)
Cast
- Jeff Bridges
- Karen Allen
- Charles Martin Smith
- Richard Jaeckel
- Robert Phalen
- Tony Edwards
- John Walter Davis
- Ted White
- Dirk Blocker
- M.C. Gainey
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Hulu
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Starman about?
- A grieving widow is pulled into a cross-country escape with an alien wearing her dead husband's face, discovering unexpected love along the way.
- What is Starman like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Starman as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Starman violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Starman as mild.
- What did critics think of Starman?
- Critics broadly found the film a sweet, effective science fiction romance elevated by Jeff Bridges's disarming performance and John Carpenter's careful direction.
- Which films are like Starman?
- Films with a similar feel include The Shape of Water, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and The Adjustment Bureau.
- How long is Starman?
- Starman runs 115 minutes.
- Where can I watch Starman?
- In United States, Starman streams on Hulu.
