American Honey 2016

Star, portrayed by Sasha Lane, is a mixed-race teenager with a challenging life in rural Muskogee, Oklahoma. Struggling to care for two young children that do not belong to her, she also endures the torment of living with their alcoholic and abusive father, Nathan (Johnny Pierce II). One fateful day, while attempting to hitchhike home, she locks eyes with a charming young man named Jake, played by Shia LaBeouf, who is part of a lively group traveling in a van. Intrigued, Star follows them to a local K-Mart, where she witnesses Jake’s captivating dance to “We Found Love” atop the registers, until they are eventually confronted and kicked out of the store.

In a twist of fate, Star finds Jake’s phone and returns it to him, leading to an unexpected job offer as part of their magazine sales team. Although hesitant, she is invited to join them on their trip to Kansas City. While packing her belongings and preparing to leave Nathan behind, Star escapes with the two children to a nearby dance club where their stepmother, Misty (Chasity Hunsaker), performs. In a bold confrontation, she urges Misty to take responsibility for the kids, but after Misty’s refusal, Star flees to the motel, opting to sleep outside the crew’s van until daylight.

The next morning, Star gets an interview with the crew’s leader, Krystal, played by Riley Keough. After confirming that Star is a legal adult and that no one would miss her, she is hired on the spot. On the journey to Kansas, Star meets various crew members, including Pagan (Arielle Homes), Corey (McCaul Lombardi), and Katness (Crystal B. Ice), among others. Upon their arrival in KC, the group splits into pairs, with Star being paired with Jake, who is known as the experienced salesman. Star quickly realizes that selling is tougher than she expected, especially when Jake resorts to dishonest tactics to push sales.

As their relationship grows, Star flirtatiously distracts Jake and they share a kiss, but this leads to tension when Krystal chastises Jake for his poor sales performance. Determined to prove herself, Star embarks on a wild adventure where she is picked up by three men who mistakenly believe Jake is mistreating her. After swallowing a worm from a mezcal bottle as part of a sales agreement, Star impressively closes a deal, leading to a rift when Jake arrives, armed and threatening the men before he steals their car.

Despite her initial anger at Jake’s actions, Star is later moved by his protective behavior, and the two share an intimate moment. However, the next few days bring complications as Jake and Star’s relationship strains under Krystal’s pressure. The crew finds themselves living in a dilapidated house in Nebraska, where their romantic bond is reignited while sharing stolen moments together.

When Krystal drops the crew off with oil workers for sales, Star faces an uncomfortable proposition from one of the men, who offers her significant money in exchange for a date. In a desperate bid for financial gain, Star accepts but quickly becomes embroiled in danger. After a brutal encounter, she confides in Jake, who erupts in anger, escalating the tensions between them.

With the crew dynamic shifting and Jake mysteriously absent, Star learns from Krystal that Jake has been let go. In a poignant moment, Star visits a house filled with children struggling with a drug-addicted mother—an echo of her past losses. Feeling a deep connection, she buys them groceries, reflecting her empathy and desire to help.

Later, as the crew gathers around a bonfire, their shared experience culminates in a private moment between Star and Jake. He gifts her a turtle, symbolizing freedom, leading her to release it into the water. This act signifies a profound transformation, as Star immerses herself fully, rising from the water renewed and liberated, marking the end of one chapter and the hopeful beginning of another.