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.
In a conservative Christian community in rural Kentucky, 17-year-old Jem Starling feels stifled by her predetermined path. She grapples with her attraction to an older, married man from her church, leading her to explore her own desires and independence. As her forbidden relationship unfolds, Jem begins to question the strict doctrines she has always known.
The Starling Girl received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its sensitive and nuanced portrayal of adolescent desire and the complexities of faith and community. Some viewers found the pacing slow, but many appreciated its authentic depiction of a specific subculture and the compelling performances.
Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's thoughtful handling of complex themes and Eliza Scanlen's performance. Some found the story to be relatable and moving, while others wished for a more definitive resolution.
Nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival.
Director Eliza Hittman drew inspiration from real-life experiences and observations from evangelical communities when developing the film's narrative and themes.
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