MPI Media Group | Release Date:November 14, 2014 | Not Rated
Summary:Determined to make it as an actress in Hollywood, Sarah Walker (Alex Essoe) spends her days working a dead-end job, enduring petty friendships and going on countless casting calls in hopes of catching her big break. After a series of strange auditions, Sarah lands the leading role in a new film from a mysterious production company. But withDetermined to make it as an actress in Hollywood, Sarah Walker (Alex Essoe) spends her days working a dead-end job, enduring petty friendships and going on countless casting calls in hopes of catching her big break. After a series of strange auditions, Sarah lands the leading role in a new film from a mysterious production company. But with this opportunity comes bizarre ramifications that will transform her both mentally and physically into something beautiful and altogether terrifying.…Expand
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This is seriously a movie to watch and wake up to the reality of what mostly ends up happening in the industry. It may seem unrealistic but, this is just 1 of the many cult related happenings in the industry! #WakeUpAmerica…Expand
A dark, introspective study on the vile side of human nature and how far someone will go to get what they want. Starry Eyes is a truly disturbing, profound piece of art.
"Starry Eyes" is a surprisingly good slow-burn about ambition and what for some may be the true price of fame. Taking cues from films like Rosemary's Baby without imitating it too directly, the film exploits the psychological despair of failure well and balances it out with the body horror."Starry Eyes" is a surprisingly good slow-burn about ambition and what for some may be the true price of fame. Taking cues from films like Rosemary's Baby without imitating it too directly, the film exploits the psychological despair of failure well and balances it out with the body horror. I've watched it twice as of this review, and it stands up to repeat viewings.
Alexandra Essoe is fantastic in the lead role of Sarah, letting her sweetness and naivete transform into viciousness and aggression gradually. The fact that Essoe cites "Possession" as a main inspiration for her performance is hardly surprising. Most of the supporting cast do well also, with few really weak performances to speak of.
On the negative side, "Starry Eyes" could have done a little better in the third act. There is certainly body horror and gore, but in the process the film loses the critique of Hollywood culture it built its foundation on. Why Sarah ends up having to do what she eventually does is sort of understandable, but it's a little klunky in how it plays out.
Bottom line: Definitely worth a watch, especially for horror fans and aspiring actresses.…Expand
All I can say is WOW. Starry Eyes is such a great horror film. It's dark and twisted and heart breaking actually. Fresh Story!
It's basically about aspiring actress Sarah Walker who's only focus in life is getting that one movie role that will put her name in lights and make her a star.All I can say is WOW. Starry Eyes is such a great horror film. It's dark and twisted and heart breaking actually. Fresh Story!
It's basically about aspiring actress Sarah Walker who's only focus in life is getting that one movie role that will put her name in lights and make her a star. But this reminds you that even if somebody is talented and beautiful, it doesn't mean they actually believe it themselves. That is what makes me so mad about her character. She doesn't have faith in herself. And if you don't have faith in yourself then you become a pawn in someone else's game.…Expand
A statement on the dangers of Hollywood. Aspiring actors come to chase their dreams, and figuratively will sell their souls for a chance at a leading role. This movie takes that ambition quite literally. Alex Essoe is a good leading woman, but the movie itself takes a bit too long to get going.
When I watched this indie horror movie I had very low expectations. I know indie cinema can be incredible or crap. So I've been watching prepared for the worst. However, this movie is neither excellent nor particularly innovative, looking like an inspiration over Polanski's "Rosemary'sWhen I watched this indie horror movie I had very low expectations. I know indie cinema can be incredible or crap. So I've been watching prepared for the worst. However, this movie is neither excellent nor particularly innovative, looking like an inspiration over Polanski's "Rosemary's Baby". The film ends up being a huge satire around the highly brutal and competitive environment of the American film industry. The script is based on the ambition and lack of scruples of a young aspiring film star, who is willing to do anything to reach success, managing to get an invitation to audition in a large studio. The sarcastic criticism is present in the way her dreams are chewed and ruined, and in the way the film producer abuses her, forcing her to do things she doesn't want. She ends up selling her own soul... well, probably Hollywood should be a soulless environment also.
The cast is led by Alexandra Essoe, a young actress with some talent and who has done a fairly regular job here. Amanda Fuller was good enough also, with a good supporting work. Maria Olsen was well, sinister enough, but her task was only to add some gloomy atmosphere to the film. The rest of the cast did an average performance, doing what was necessary but without adding much more than that.
The film uses some scenes in which the actress appears half-naked, but I don't think this was bad, or a call to the "sex sells" formula. I think it went well the way it was used. It has some gore also, but it's not too heavy, helping to reinforce the tension.
Not being a brilliant movie, "Starry Eyes" delivers what it promises. It's a film that is within acceptable standards, can create a pleasant tension but doesn't frighten or make us feel afraid. In fact, I think I realized more of a certain criticism of Hollywood than a simple attempt to do horror. It's an average movie, worth watching but not allowing it a second time.…Expand
This installment of the you-guys-remember-the-80s-and-the-electronic-stuff-right-horror genre, sandwiched betwixt Beyond the Black Rainbow and It Follows, features a guy doing an almost flawless Patrick Bateman impression and a Requiem for a Dream downfall ending in exactly the same way.