Starry Eyes

Name: Starry Eyes
Genre: Horror
Released: November 14, 2014
Duration: 98 min
Rating: 49

2014

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 6 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 31 Ratings

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6.8

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6.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 31 Ratings

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Starry Eyes

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Movie Details & Credits

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

Director: Dennis Widmyer and Kevin Kolsch

Genre(s): Horror

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 98 min

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Critic Reviews

Clark Collis

Nov 24, 2014

Horror fans should keep their eyes on the filmmakers — and Essoe, who gives a star-making performance. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Simon Abrams

Nov 14, 2014

As gory as it is corrosively cynical, a supernatural mood piece that's equally influenced by the arthouse horror movies of David Lynch and Roman Polanski, and the grindhouse-ready Satanic Panic films of the '70s, like "To the Devil a Daughter," and "The Devil Rides out." Read full review

Michael Nordine

Nov 11, 2014

The film is far less successful once it delves into body horror that makes Sarah's transformation as ghoulishly physical as it is mental. Read full review

Frank Scheck

Nov 14, 2014

The degeneration into familiar genre tropes reduces the impact of the wittily satirical set-up, with the result that Starry Eyes fails to live up to its initial promise. But the film indicates genuine talent on the part of its directors/screenwriters, who infuse the proceedings with a dark, gothic creepiness that is further enhanced by Jonathan Snipes' retro, synthesizer-infused score reminiscent of John Carpenter. Read full review

Mike D'Angelo

Nov 12, 2014

Spelling everything out is never recommended, but for a horror movie, in particular, it’s death. Read full review

Neil Genzlinger

Nov 13, 2014

A pretty young actress. A casting call. A private meeting with the lecherous man who has the power to give her the role. Starry Eyes tries to wring a horror movie out of this tired old setup but, halfway in, seems to realize it has nothing new to offer and becomes a mere gorefest. Read full review

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User Reviews

IronThroneQueen

Jul 1, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. 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

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SolInvicta

May 25, 2015

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.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

CaptainHowdy

May 12, 2019

"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

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Wahlberg

Nov 29, 2014

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

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

rappM95

Jul 19, 2020

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.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

FilipeNeto

Nov 13, 2018

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

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

leaveit

Apr 17, 2015

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.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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