Release CalendarTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV News
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsCannes Film FestivalStar WarsAsian Pacific American Heritage MonthSummer Watch GuideSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

The Starling Girl

  • 2023
  • R
  • 1h 57m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
2.9K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,374
2,467
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
    2.9K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    1,374
    2,467
    • Director
      • Laurel Parmet
    • Writer
      • Laurel Parmet
    • Stars
      • Eliza Scanlen
      • Lewis Pullman
      • Jimmi Simpson
    • 18User 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

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 32
    View Poster

    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 reviews18

    6.72.9K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    9threenails10

    One of the years best films

    I grew up in a Christian home so I can relate to these characters here. Feelings wandering, conflicting when it comes to what's right and wrong. I have no doubts there will be Christians seeking everyone to avoid this near masterpiece of film. It struck all the right cords. It's a very impressive debut for this new director. I wish more first time filmmakers made films this great but they come few and far between. I can see this one becoming an awards contender perhaps if it doesn't stir up too much controversy but I doubt that will happen. This one is likely to remain a hidden gem but it deserves a watch at least once especially for the incredible performances all around, the music, the atmosphere and cinematography are all on point here. Not sure entirely what kept this from being a perfect film but it almost reaches that. All in all though this is definitely one of the years best so far and is worth seeking out for film lovers and those who struggle with beliefs in religion.
    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.
    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.
    7brentsbulletinboard

    A Little Predictable But Nicely Handled

    What's required to attain acceptance from others? That's a tricky question, especially for those who are going through the coming of age process. It can be even more confounding for those who are part of a community that demands rigid conformity on an array of fronts. So it is for 17-year-old Jem Starling (Eliza Scanlen), a questioning young woman from a small Kentucky fundamentalist community. She wants to fit in, but she also endeavors to know herself, a quest that carries with it some puzzling yet innate contradictions, many of which are brought front and center when she begins to develop feelings for her married youth pastor (Lewis Pullman), a connection based on emotions that turn out to be mutual. But what is Jem to do - follow her heart or squelch the burgeoning passions surfacing within her, both romantically and in her other secular interests? That's the story that plays out as she attempts to get in touch with her inner being. However, is she seeking to let her true self emerge, or is she succumbing to the wicked manipulations of Satan, as her family and fellow parishioners try to convince her? Independent Spirit Award-nominated writer-director Laurel Parmet's debut feature deftly handles these themes, even if they seem a little predictable, familiar and stretched out at times. The picture's surprisingly inconsistent cinematography sometimes hampers the flow of the narrative, too, with some scenes that are beautifully shot and others that are needlessly and almost indecipherably dark (atmosphere is one thing, but the patent mishandling of this element is something else entirely). Nevertheless, these shortcomings are aptly covered by the fine performances of the film's stellar cast, especially Scanlan, Pullman, and Jimmi Simpson and Wrenn Schmidt as Jem's dysfunctional parents. "The Starling Girl" may not be groundbreakingly original, but it reminds us of the importance of being ourselves, no matter what that might entail - and the cost that can come from failing to follow our hearts.
    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.

    More like this

    You Hurt My Feelings
    6.5
    You Hurt My Feelings
    Eileen
    5.9
    Eileen
    Earth Mama
    6.6
    Earth Mama
    Sanctuary
    6.2
    Sanctuary
    Showing Up
    6.3
    Showing Up
    The Royal Hotel
    5.8
    The Royal Hotel
    Monica
    6.3
    Monica
    A Thousand and One
    7.0
    A Thousand and One
    Water Rises
    8.6
    Water Rises
    Scrapper
    6.9
    Scrapper
    Blue Jean
    7.0
    Blue Jean
    Theater Camp
    6.9
    Theater Camp

    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

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    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

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    The Starling Girl (2023)
    Top Gap
    What is the Canadian French language plot outline for The Starling Girl (2023)?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb app
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb app
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb app
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.