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The Starling Girl

  • 2023
  • R
  • 1h 57m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
3K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,746
1,372
The Starling Girl (2023)
17-year-old Jem Starling struggles with her place within her Christian fundamentalist community. But everything changes when her magnetic youth pastor Owen returns to their church.
Play trailer2:18
6 Videos
38 Photos
Drama

17-year-old Jem Starling struggles with her place within her Christian fundamentalist community. But everything changes when her magnetic youth pastor Owen returns to their church.17-year-old Jem Starling struggles with her place within her Christian fundamentalist community. But everything changes when her magnetic youth pastor Owen returns to their church.17-year-old Jem Starling struggles with her place within her Christian fundamentalist community. But everything changes when her magnetic youth pastor Owen returns to their church.

  • Director
    • Laurel Parmet
  • Writer
    • Laurel Parmet
  • Stars
    • Eliza Scanlen
    • Lewis Pullman
    • Jimmi Simpson
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.7/10
    3K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,746
    1,372
    • Director
      • Laurel Parmet
    • Writer
      • Laurel Parmet
    • Stars
      • Eliza Scanlen
      • Lewis Pullman
      • Jimmi Simpson
    • 20User reviews
    • 51Critic reviews
    • 78Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 4 nominations total

    Videos6

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:18
    Official Trailer
    The Starling Girl
    Trailer 2:20
    The Starling Girl
    The Starling Girl
    Trailer 2:20
    The Starling Girl
    The Most Gripping Drama of 2023
    Clip 1:02
    The Most Gripping Drama of 2023
    The Starling Girl: Do Not Tell Your Mama
    Clip 2:01
    The Starling Girl: Do Not Tell Your Mama
    The Starling Girl: Dance Troupe
    Clip 1:05
    The Starling Girl: Dance Troupe
    The Starling Girl: It Was Probably Sick
    Clip 0:56
    The Starling Girl: It Was Probably Sick

    Photos38

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    + 32
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    Top cast25

    Edit
    Eliza Scanlen
    Eliza Scanlen
    • Jem Starling
    Lewis Pullman
    Lewis Pullman
    • Owen Taylor
    Jimmi Simpson
    Jimmi Simpson
    • Paul Starling
    Wrenn Schmidt
    Wrenn Schmidt
    • Heidi Starling
    Claire Elizabeth Green
    Claire Elizabeth Green
    • Rebecca Starling
    Ellie May
    Ellie May
    • Sarah Starling
    Austin Abrams
    Austin Abrams
    • Ben Taylor
    Chris Dinner
    Chris Dinner
    • Noah Starling
    Paige Leigh Landers
    • Kelsey
    Kieran Sitawi
    Kieran Sitawi
    • Jeremy Starling
    • (as Kieran Satawi)
    Brianna Bronger
    Brianna Bronger
    • Nora
    Jessamine Burgum
    Jessamine Burgum
    • Misty Taylor
    Kyle Secor
    Kyle Secor
    • Pastor Taylor
    Andrew Riley Stephens
    Andrew Riley Stephens
    • Mike Stone
    Abby Hobek
    Abby Hobek
    • Rachel
    Ike Harrell
    • Edmond Tike
    K.J. Baker
    K.J. Baker
    • Anne Taylor
    Matthew Palmer
    • Bartender
    • Director
      • Laurel Parmet
    • Writer
      • Laurel Parmet
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews20

    6.73K
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    Featured reviews

    8jshea-59600

    Underrated tale of breaking away

    This is a story about a young woman who grows up in a tightly-knit, restrictive religious community who ultimately has to choose between sticking with her faith and family, versus breaking away and becoming her true self. It's an old story (although more often told about a young man). But the telling here is heartfelt, sympathetic and often surprising. Eliza Scanlen is outstanding as the protagonist Jem Starling--she reminds me of a young Sissy Spacek.

    Christian conservatives are likely to dislike this film, and I can see that some of them are giving it extremely low ratings to dampen its appeal. While I can't speak from their point of view, I didn't feel that this film mocked religion. This is not the kind of on-the-nose, cartoon satire of religion often offered by Hollywood.
    8masonfisk

    HEAP PRAISES UPON SCANLEN...!

    From earlier this year comes this account of a fundamentalist girl's, played by Little Women's Eliza Scanlen, struggle to maintain her faith. Opening up on a dance performance in front of their congregation, Scanlen's immediately reprimanded for having her bra showing through her dance top. We then go into her family life where her brethren are many & her parents, For All Mankind Wren Schmidt & Jimmi Simpson, rule the roost w/iron fists. Into this dynamic comes a new visitor in the form of the pastor's, Homicide's Kyle Secor, son, Lewis Pullman, which raises Scanlen's ardor even though he's already married & his wife is pregnant. Simpson, who used to be in a 'regular' band, falls off the wagon due to his own pressures which when the reveal comes about Pullman & Scanlen's clutch prompts the parents to force her to quit the dance troupe which puts the couple in panic mode (Pullman declares his separation from his wife) & running off happily into the sunset or will they? Writer/director Laurel Parmet captures a potent tale of the flyover states where maybe the standard trajectory of one's community may not be for all w/Scanlen, who continues to impress in her performances (check her out in the HBO limited series Sharp Objects), who carries the weight of the narrative on her ample shoulders abetted by strong support from the other players.
    10jennmlandry

    Quiet, thoughtful, reflective and powerful

    This movie broke me. Maybe you need to personally relate to the content, but the way in which the relationship between Jem and Own is crafted is nuanced and relatable. The trauma that comes with religious upbringing is powerfully displayed in this movie. In the hands of the screenwriter, director and actors it is deftly dealt with, without forcing an agenda down your throat one way or the other. Pullman and Scanlen achieve the necessary chemistry that you're wholly along for the journey and seem to understand both sides, even if there is a clear villain in this tale. This movie had me thinking about it nonstop for a week now...don't know what my entire conclusion is yet, but I'm so glad it was made.
    10zampino-359-446228

    Brilliant, do not miss.

    Taking place in beautiful green Kentucky in a Christian fundamentalist community The Starling Girl pulls you in from the jump. It is nothing like what you might expect. Eliza Scanlan and Lewis Pullman are the the stars in first time writer/director Laurel Pamet's first feature film and it is a brilliant debut. A coming of age film, that becomes a tight psychological thriller, that becomes a meditation on life and God and a woman's place in the world. This film hits all the marks from costumes and production design, to stunning cinematography, to great music and masterful editing. There is nothing about this film that is ordinary or mundane. This is a a do not miss movie that will surely become a classic.
    6zack_gideon

    Well acted coming of age story

    The plot in and of itself is very simple and has been done many times. Young girl, oppressed - finds her identity through trials and tribulations. It's really a story as old as time itself, so that's not the real focus of this film. The acting and character development is what to focus on while watching.

    The setting is mostly outdoor rural Kentucky, within a very strict Christian fundamentalist community, which I found unique and interesting. The focus of the film is the subtle changes in the young girl main protagonist. It's almost like watching a slow motion train wreck, for her and the immature pastor.

    Overall it's a slow burn, hard to really review. I just enjoyed the overall ambience and acting. Everything else for me I could take or leave it, but it was entertaining. 5.9/10.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Actress Eliza Scanlen, who plays 17-year-old Jem Starling, was 24 years old when the movie was released in 2023.
    • Quotes

      Owen Taylor: What, you think God will strike you dead if you enjoy dancing? You're experiencing joy in His creation.

    • Connections
      Featured in Amanda the Jedi Show: I Watched 45 Movies in 1 Week | 'Talk to Me' and the Best Movies of Sundance 2023 Explained (2023)
    • Soundtracks
      Stained Glass
      Written by Ben Schneider

      Performed by Lord Huron and Ben Schneider

      Courtesy of Republic Records

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    FAQ18

    • How long is The Starling Girl?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 11, 2023 (Canada)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official Website
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Дівча Старлінґів
    • Filming locations
      • Kentucky, USA(on location)
    • Production companies
      • 2AM
      • Pinky Promise
      • Sons of Rigor Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $161,290
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $23,843
      • May 14, 2023
    • Gross worldwide
      • $161,290
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 57 minutes
    • Color
      • Color

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