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Comedy drama

Stargirl (2020): Cast, Ratings & Ending

Stargirl (2020) movie poster

Stargirl is a 2020 comedy drama directed by Julia Hart, starring Grace VanderWaal as Stargirl Caraway, Graham Verchere and Darby Stanchfield. It runs 1 hour 47 minutes. Critics gave it 69% on Rotten Tomatoes and 61 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10.

IMDb rating
6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
69%
Echo Score
70
Metascore
61
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Stargirl (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 47m (107 min)
Director
Julia Hart
Genres
Drama , Comedy , Romance
Original language
English
Studio
Disney+
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Stargirl About?

The premise of Stargirl without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

In a high school obsessed with rules and expectations, Leo Borlock's predictable life is turned upside down by the arrival of Rachel, a free-spirited and eccentric girl known as Stargirl. Her unique personality and unconventional actions disrupt the school's rigid social structure, captivating some students while alienating others. As Leo and Stargirl grow closer, he finds himself questioning his own beliefs and facing a difficult choice between popularity and following his heart.

Stargirl Themes & Keywords

· 17 tags
  • arizona
  • overalls
  • high school
  • love
  • teenage girl
  • emotion
  • friend
  • friendship
  • teen fantasy
  • jukebox musical
  • character name as title
  • teenage boy
+5 more
  • female protagonist
  • triple f rated
  • based on novel
  • based on book
  • f rated
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Cast & crew

Stargirl Cast & Characters

Grace VanderWaal leads the cast as Stargirl Caraway, with Graham Verchere as Leo Borlock and Darby Stanchfield as Gloria Borlock. Directed by Julia Hart; 18 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Stargirl Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Stargirl 69% on Rotten Tomatoes and 61 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 70/100, strongest in rewatch factor (75) and weakest in art & craft (65).

70 /100

Stargirl Echo Score Breakdown

Stargirl achieves a modest balance between visual charm and thematic earnestness, though it occasionally falls short in narrative depth. Critics highlighted Julia Hart’s engaging direction and the film’s warm, sun-drenched desert palette, yet several pointed to predictable plot beats and surface-level character arcs. Audience responses were similarly divided, praising the lead performance and comforting atmosphere while noting a lack of substantial development. Ultimately, Stargirl presents an appealing aesthetic with heartfelt moments but an overall uneven execution.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 65

    In terms of art and craft, Stargirl displays a warm, sun-drenched visual style that resonates with its desert setting. Reviewers noted Julia Hart’s careful framing and the arid palette that underscores the film’s mood. While some found the design occasionally simplistic, the overall aesthetic coherence contributes positively to the viewing experience.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When it comes to character and emotion, Stargirl offers an engaging lead performance that many found genuinely heartfelt yet somewhat underexplored in depth. The protagonist’s whimsical demeanor earned praise for its warmth, though some critics described it as verging on cliché. Supporting relationships felt sincere but lacked substantial development, resulting in mixed emotional impact overall.

  • Story & Flow 68

    In terms of story and flow, Stargirl follows a familiar coming-of-age template with clear thematic intentions but limited narrative innovation. Early pacing feels uneven, requiring perseverance to appreciate its gradual payoffs. While the central message of authenticity remains relevant, the execution often stays at the surface level, diminishing overall engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    In terms of sensory experience, Stargirl boasts a soothing soundtrack and thoughtful sound design that complement its emotive tone. The repeated use of 'Thirteen' enhances the nostalgic atmosphere, while ambient desert soundscapes enrich the setting. The film’s cohesive visual and aural elements create a gentle, comforting mood, even if they do not always evoke lasting intensity.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    In terms of rewatch factor, Stargirl presents moments of genuine charm that invite multiple viewings, particularly through its evocative visuals and musical callbacks. The film’s moderate pacing and familiar narrative beats may limit repeat engagement for some viewers, yet the sincerity of its lead performance and scenic richness encourage a second look. Overall, its appeal endures in small, reflective details.

Plot

Stargirl Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Stargirl from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The film begins with Leo Borlock (Graham Verchere), a 14-year-old boy in a marching band uniform, practicing on a sun-drenched football field. Out of nowhere, a mystical girl, Stargirl Caraway (Grace VanderWaal), appears like a mirage, captivating and unsettling him. However, before Leo can approach her, he gets lost in his memories, reflecting on his childhood.

Having faced the heart-wrenching loss of his father, Leo often wears a porcupine tie, a nostalgic emblem of remembrance. He and his mother, Gloria (Darby Stanchfield), relocated to Mica, Arizona, a place where time seems to pause. Year after year on his birthday, Leo receives a new porcupine tie, gifts steeped in mystery that initially drew ridicule from his peers but ultimately became a part of his identity.

Full summary

The whole story of Stargirl, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Stargirl?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the main character Leo Borlock's most distinctive fashion accessory?

Cars

Cars in Stargirl

25 cars on screen, including the 1995 Geo Metro and the 1992 Ford Econoline.

All 25 cars
  • 1995 Geo Metro in Stargirl 1995 Geo Metro Important role
  • 1992 Ford Econoline in Stargirl 1992 Ford Econoline Minor role
  • Toyota Land Cruiser in Stargirl Toyota Land Cruiser Minor role
  • unknown in Stargirl unknown Minor role
Details

Stargirl Also Known As

15 alternative titles, including “A Extraordinária Garota Chamada Estrela” and “סטאר גירל”.

Also known as
  • A Extraordinária Garota Chamada Estrela
  • סטאר גירל
  • 星星女孩
  • 星光女孩
  • Stargirl Movie
  • Старґьорл
  • Stargirl: Anders ist völlig normal
  • Gwiazdka
  • Στάργκερλ
  • 스타걸
  • Старгёрл
  • סטארגירל, ვარსკვლავგოგონა
+3 more
  • スターガール
  • 星耀女孩
  • เด็กสาวแห่งปาฏิหาริย์

Seen Stargirl?

FAQ

Stargirl FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Stargirl, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Stargirl?

Stargirl runs 1 hour 47 minutes (107 minutes).

When was Stargirl released?

Stargirl was released on March 13, 2020.

Who directed Stargirl?

Stargirl was directed by Julia Hart.

More films by Julia Hart

Who is in the cast of Stargirl?

Stargirl stars Grace VanderWaal as Stargirl Caraway, Graham Verchere as Leo Borlock and Darby Stanchfield as Gloria Borlock, among 18 credited actors.

How is Stargirl rated?

Stargirl has 6.2/10 on IMDb, 69% on Rotten Tomatoes, 61 on Metacritic and 74% on TMDB.

Does Stargirl have a post-credit scene?

No. Stargirl has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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