The Starling Girl 2023

Jemima “Jem” Starling, a 17-year-old girl raised in a strict fundamentalist Christian community in Kentucky, grapples with her desire to adhere to her faith while navigating the expectations set by her parents, Paul and Heidi. As the eldest sibling, she is seen as a role model for her four younger brothers and sisters, particularly when it comes to the tradition of courting. Encouraged by her mother to get to know Ben Taylor, the pastor’s youngest son who harbors a crush on her, Jem finds him dull and immature, and her true passion lies in dance, where she performs with the church’s dance troupe.

After a humiliating incident during a performance when the pastor’s wife points out her visible bra, Jem escapes outside to cry. There, she encounters Owen, the pastor’s 28-year-old son and Ben’s older brother, who has just returned from missionary work in Puerto Rico. Having just resumed to the community, Owen asks Jem to keep his cigarette smoking a secret. With the dance troupe facing disbandment due to a lack of leadership, she is determined to take charge and persuades Owen to appoint her as its leader.

As this bond grows, Jem develops a crush on Owen, who has returned with a more relaxed approach to church doctrine. While others criticize her for dancing out of vanity, Owen appreciates her passion and provides much-needed encouragement. One evening, after an unsuccessful demonstration of a routine, Jem stays at the church and is found by Owen while praying. They share a tender moment when he gifts her seashell earrings and she bravely pierces her ears, leading to a heartfelt kiss, and their romantic relationship blossoms in secrecy. Owen gives her a burner phone for private communication, explaining that their connection feels alive and sincere, despite his troubled marriage with his wife, Misty.

However, Jem’s family life spirals into chaos when Paul, having a history of alcoholism, relapses and loses his job. During an emotional exchange, Jem discovers Paul used to sing in a band and continues to listen to his old music, which he keeps hidden. Meanwhile, tensions arise when Misty critiques the dance troupe’s performance, igniting Jem’s anger to the point where she vandalizes Misty’s car.

Owen confronts Jem about her outburst, leading to an unexpected visit from Misty that compels Jem to hide, but her escape nearly reveals their secret. As Jem confides in her younger sister Rebecca about their destined love, Owen expresses a desire to take a break from their affair. When Jem defies her father—who resides in a fragile state due to a failed marriage—problems worsen, culminating in his attempted suicide after a violent argument where he strikes her.

With Jem’s mother occupied at the hospital, Jem finds herself at a church cookout where desperation drives her to seek Owen’s attention, only to feel rejected. In a heated moment, she nearly drowns Ben in a chaotic struggle fueled by her emotions. When Heidi discovers the burner phone, tensions erupt, leading her to believe Jem is ruined and has fallen prey to evil influences. Desperate and heartbroken, Jem is sent to a disciplinary camp to rectify her perceived sins.

As she prepares to leave, Owen confesses he has left Misty and seeks to be with Jem, claiming he wishes to escape to Puerto Rico with her. Their defiance culminates in a physical confrontation with Jem’s mother, yet Jem chooses to follow her heart with Owen. They begin a new life together in a motel, where Jem discovers a hidden iPod belonging to her father. Motivated by nostalgia, she sneaks out alone to visit a bar in Memphis where her father once performed, dancing joyfully and embracing her newfound freedom.