Starlet
An aspiring actress and a lonely widow discover an unlikely, morally challenging friendship in the San Fernando Valley.
Overview
An unexpected friendship blooms between two women from vastly different generations in the heart of California.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- naturalistic
- provocative
- haunting
- quiet evening
- indie film night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a beautifully understated, naturalistic drama anchored by exceptional performances and an unexpectedly moving moral awakening.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Jane and Sadie form an unexpected bond despite their age difference, contrasting lifestyles, and initially hostile encounter.
Sean Baker captures everyday rhythms in the San Fernando Valley through an understated, authentic style.
Jane’s discovery of Sadie’s hidden money forces her to reconsider deception, responsibility, and compassion.
The stash concealed inside a relic from Sadie’s past creates Jane’s dilemma and propels the friendship forward.
Films like Starlet, and why
Tangerine
naturalistic American drama, female friendship, and compassionate attention to marginalized lives
Wendy and Lucy
observational social realism, intimate character study, and unconventional female protagonists
The Florida Project
warm yet melancholy portrait of unlikely companionship and everyday economic precarity
Certain Women
quiet moral awakening, understated performances, and emotionally complex friendship
Movie Details
- Director
- Sean Baker
- Release Date
- 2012-11-09
- Runtime
- 103 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (207)
Cast
- Dree Hemingway
- Besedka Johnson
- Stella Maeve
- James Ransone
- Karren Karagulian
- Mickey O'Hagan
- Sheri Vecchio
- Robert Malmuth
- Justin Boyd
- Tracy Correll
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Criterion Channel
- Rent
- Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Starlet about?
- An aspiring actress and a lonely widow discover an unlikely, morally challenging friendship in the San Fernando Valley.
- What is Starlet like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Starlet as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Starlet violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Starlet.
- What did critics think of Starlet?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a beautifully understated, naturalistic drama anchored by exceptional performances and an unexpectedly moving moral awakening.
- Which films are like Starlet?
- Films with a similar feel include Tangerine, Wendy and Lucy, The Florida Project, and Certain Women.
- How long is Starlet?
- Starlet runs 103 minutes.
- Where can I watch Starlet?
- In United States, Starlet streams on Criterion Channel.
