Still Fabulous 2024

Maddalena is a thirty-year-old ghostwriter who carries low self-esteem and a sense of awkwardness in her relationships. She works at a publishing house, where she is often overlooked and undervalued, a situation that is intensified by her religious mother Grazia, who never misses a chance to remind her of her perceived shortcomings. At home, she also has to navigate the pressure from her sister Maria, the family’s pride, who is pregnant with her second child. The work environment is unkind: the director Erika routinely demeans her, while Maddalena quietly anchors her interest in the charming head of the house, Donato. She impulsively agrees to a night with him, despite knowing he is married, only for the moment to fizzle when her clumsy attempts at undressing dampen his interest.

Seeking a boost for her self-image, Maddalena turns to porn as a teaching tool and encounters visions of porn star Valentina Nappi after she indulges in a marijuana cake baked by her roommate, Stefano. The visions become little tutors, offering practical advice on how to project confidence and a sensual presence, nudging Maddalena toward a different view of herself.

At her sister’s gender reveal party, Maddalena meets Leonardo, a relatively unknown comedian who embodies self-confidence and a quiet humor that draws her in. The two strike up a friendship that feels unexpectedly safe and energizing, giving Maddalena a glimpse of life beyond her insecurities.

Meanwhile, the publishing house signs a deal with influencer Lara, and Maddalena is assigned as the ghostwriter for Lara’s forthcoming autobiography. The assignment places her back in the public eye, and at the book’s launch, she faces fresh hostility from Erika, prompting a dramatic resignation that is captured by the crowd and quickly goes viral. The blow becomes a turning point: Maddalena realizes that her worth isn’t tethered to others’ approval and that she can command attention on her own terms.

As Maddalena explores her evolving sense of self, she attends a party hosted by Lara, where Lara comes out as lesbian and admits she had forgotten Leonardo’s invitation to his show. Valentina offers a reality check, explaining that while Maddalena’s confidence has grown, it still relies on external validation to some extent. This moment of candor helps Maddalena see the next steps she must take to chart her own course.

With a renewed sense of agency, Maddalena agrees to reconnect with Donato, only this time she learns that his wife was away for a weekend with friends, not separated or estranged. This revelation marks a shift from passive acquiescence to personal choice, and Maddalena begins to embrace simplicity and sensuality on her own terms. She accepts a job at another publishing house, stepping into a role as a leading author rather than a mere ghostwriter, signaling professional independence and a clearer sense of her own voice.

The climactic moment comes at the launch event for her own novel, where Maddalena bares her feelings to Leonardo. The confession leads to an intimate moment in a bathroom, cementing a stable and more equal relationship between them. The narrative threads of perseverance, self-discovery, and newfound autonomy culminate in a quietly hopeful ending that points toward a life shaped by choice rather than fear.

In a mid-credits sequence, Maddalena attends an event featuring Valentina Nappi and thanks her for the unconventional guidance she offered. The encounter is witty and a touch ironic: Valentina doesn’t recognize Maddalena and has her removed, underscoring the film’s playful commentary on fame, influence, and the quirks of the journey toward self-acceptance.