What Is To the Stars About?
The premise of To the Stars in 311 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the simmering heat of 1960s Oklahoma, a small town clings to routine while the world beyond its borders seems both distant and inevitable. The landscape is a patchwork of open fields, rust‑colored roads, and a quiet pond where moonlight meets water in secret. Within this modest setting, the film settles into a gentle, observant tone that balances the simmering yearning of youth with the weight of ordinary expectations. The atmosphere is both nostalgic and quietly tense, hinting at the unspoken currents that shape each resident’s daily life.
Iris Deerborne moves through this world like a shadow, preferring the concealment of glasses and the safety of solitude. At home she endures the pressure of an overbearing mother who dreams of a more glamorous existence for her daughter, while at school she negotiates the sting of bully‑ridden corridors. Her inner world is a blend of quiet yearning and self‑preservation, a place where she often escapes to the pond, hoping to dissolve herself into the night’s stillness.
The arrival of Maggie Richmond brings a burst of color to the otherwise muted town. With a confident swagger and a flair for drawing attention, she instantly captures the curiosity of the other girls, offering a glimpse of a life unbound by the town’s quiet expectations. Maggie’s presence acts as a catalyst, nudging Iris to peek beyond the glass lenses she’s worn for so long. Their budding friendship promises a shared sanctuary where hidden talents can surface and secret fears can be voiced.
As the two girls navigate the delicate balance between conformity and individuality, the community’s tight‑knit nature looms in the background, suggesting that any shift in personal identity may ripple outward. The film promises an intimate coming‑of‑age story, where the quiet courage of one shy teenager and the fierce spirit of a new arrival intertwine, hinting at deeper discoveries and challenges yet to unfold.
What Happens in To the Stars?
The complete story of To the Stars, from the first scene to the last, in 717 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 7 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Iris Deerborne, Kara Hayward, is a shy teenager living in a rural Oklahoma town in 1960. The emotionally distant mother Francie pushes glamour onto her daughter, while Iris endures constant bullying at school from many peers, especially the popular yet insecure “queen bee” Clarissa Dell, Madisen Beaty. Iris harbors a quiet crush on Jeff Owings, Lucas Jade Zumann, a fellow student who helps her father, but she lacks the nerve to act on her feelings. Nightly swims in a local pond become a small rebellion against her suffocating routine, a place where she wishes she could disappear and start over.
One day, Iris is accosted by several boys on the way to school, and Maggie Richmond, Liana Liberato, a new girl in town, chases them off with rocks. At school the other girls are captivated by Maggie’s arrival and the illusion of glamour she seems to possess, even though she reveals early on that her father isn’t a famous Life photographer, but someone who works for an agricultural trade publication. Maggie’s family moved to the town to escape trouble from her past, and the honesty of that admission creates a strange bond between Iris and the newcomer.
Iris and Maggie quickly become close friends, and Maggie pushes Iris to shed her old self. They skip classes to get makeovers, with the local stylist Hazel Atkins, Adelaide Clemens, giving Iris a bold new haircut and a more confident look. As Iris’s appearance shifts, she earns more acceptance from classmates who are chasing dates for the upcoming school dance, and the pond—once a private refuge—begins to feel less like a sanctuary and more like a stage for new social expectations.
At the dance, Iris gathers the courage to dance with Jeff Owings, Lucas Jade Zumann, much to the surprise of her peers. Maggie’s life also intensifies as she is invited to the prom by popular football player Craig Butler, while Maggie’s mother Edith McCoy, Tina Parker, takes her dress shopping for the occasion. Maggie visits Hazel Atkins for another hair touchup, and the dynamics shift when Iris learns that the photograph everyone associates with Hazel’s supposed dead husband is actually Hazel’s brother. Hazel’s tenderness toward Maggie stirs mixed emotions, and Maggie, overwhelmed by the attention, flees to the pond and sleeps with Craig that night. Afterward, a distressed Maggie seeks Iris, drunkenly kissing her before fleeing again.
The following day brings more complications: Maggie has received a promise ring from Craig, and she invites the other girls and their dates to skinny-dip in the pond, an invitation that deeply stings Iris because the pond has felt like a shared, private haven for them. A fierce confrontation erupts, with Iris accusing Maggie of lying and not being true to herself, while Maggie retorts by taunting Iris with the infamous “stinky drawers” nickname the other girls used in the past. Ashamed of the escalating drama and the people it has drawn into her orbit, Maggie runs to Hazel’s house, where the two share a quiet moment before Maggie’s resolve crumbles. A girl who comes by Hazel’s later sees Hazel and Maggie together, and the news quickly ripples through the town, leading to vandalism against Hazel’s car and Hazel deciding to leave town. Maggie’s father’s beating intensifies, and she resolves that she cannot stay.
The morning after, Iris learns of the fallout and finds Maggie’s father and the police by the pond, a site long linked to tragedy in the town. Gerald Richmond, Tony Hale, pleads with Iris to bring Maggie home and claims he no longer cares about Maggie being “bad.” Iris defends her friend, insisting Maggie was never truly bad and that the town’s narrow-minded judgments miscast who she is. With no sign of Maggie, the police cannot determine whether she is alive or dead. When Iris is harassed again on the road, she channels Maggie’s earlier defiance by throwing stones at the tormentors and then comforts her mother with a new resolution. She declares that Maggie isn’t gone and that she has likely found a way to escape the town’s judgment. The film closes with Iris sharing a hopeful moment with Jeff by the pond, where they kiss and swim, signaling a cautious step toward a future shaped by their shared strength and the memory of what they endured.
To the Stars Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Iris's troubled home life and school bullying” to “Iris resolves to date Jeff; final pond moment”. 12 events name a place, across 12 locations.
- 1
Iris's troubled home life and school bullying
Iris Deerborne is a shy, eighteen-year-old girl living in a rural Oklahoma town in 1960. She endures emotional abuse from her mother and is frequently bullied at school, especially by Clarissa Dell. She longs to disappear and escape her small-town pressures.
When:1960 Where:rural Oklahoma town
- 2
Maggie arrives and intervenes during a harassment
A new girl, Maggie Richmond, arrives in town and immediately draws attention. On the way to school, Iris is accosted by several boys, but Maggie intervenes by throwing rocks at them until they leave. The other girls are intrigued by Maggie and listen as she claims her father is a glamorous Life photographer, fueling rumors about her past.
When:morning Where:on the way to school / school grounds
- 3
Maggie's troubled home life and relocation
Maggie's family endures trouble, and her stern father beats her for coming home late. The family had moved to the small town to escape that trouble, hoping for a quieter life. The threat of punishment lingers as she settles in.
When:evening Where:Maggie's home / new town
- 4
Iris and Maggie become friends and makeover day
Iris and Maggie quickly form a fast friendship as they skip school together. They visit Hazel Atkins, the local stylist, for new hairdos and confidence-boosting makeovers. Iris's transformed look helps her feel more accepted by her classmates.
When:afternoon Where:Hazel Atkins' salon / Iris's town
- 5
Dance night marks Iris's turning point
With her newfound confidence, Iris attends the school dance and finally has the nerve to dance with Jeff Owings. The other girls notice the change in Iris as she steps into the spotlight. The moment becomes a turning point in her social life within the town.
When:evening Where:school dance
- 6
Prom plans and Hazel’s truth revealed
Maggie is thrilled when Craig Butler asks her to the prom and her mother takes her dress shopping. She then visits Hazel for a new hairdo, learning that the photograph everyone believes to be Hazel's dead husband is really Hazel's brother. After a tender moment with Hazel, Maggie flees the salon, unsettled by the town's scrutiny.
When:afternoon/evening Where:Hazel's salon / Maggie's home
- 7
Night by the pond and a drunken kiss
That night, Maggie finds Craig Butler and they have sex by the pond. The encounter unsettles her, and later Maggie goes to Iris and, in a drunken moment, kisses her before apologizing and running away.
When:night Where:the pond
- 8
Prom plans escalate and a fierce fight
The next day, Craig gives Maggie a promise ring, cementing a complicated relationship. Maggie invites the other girls and their dates to go skinny-dipping in the pond, which ignites Iris's jealousy and leads to a heated fight. Maggie taunts Iris with the old 'stinky drawers' insult from their schoolyard days.
When:next day Where:pond / town
- 9
Maggie flees to Hazel's; a witnessing eye
Maggie flees to Hazel's house, and the two share a kiss. Through the curtains, a girl witnesses their intimacy, and gossip begins to spread rapidly through the town. A group of men vandalizes Hazel's car, threatening her, and she ultimately leaves town.
When:night Where:Hazel's house / town streets
- 10
Abuse, fear, and Hazel's departure
Following the town uproar, Hazel's car is vandalized by locals and she decides to leave town. Maggie's father beats her again, tearing up over his idealized image of his daughter. Overwhelmed by the situation, Maggie flees into the night.
When:night Where:Hazel's car / Maggie's home
- 11
Morning aftermath and Maggie's disappearance
The next morning Iris learns what happened and finds Gerald Richmond by the pond with the police. He asks Iris to tell Maggie to come home, claiming he doesn't care about her being 'bad' anymore. Iris defends Maggie, insisting she isn't dead, and realizes Maggie has fled beyond the town's reach.
When:morning Where:the pond / Maggie's home
- 12
Iris resolves to date Jeff; final pond moment
Iris tells her mother that Maggie isn't dead and has fled. She chooses to go on her first date with Jeff Owings, and the two share a kiss by the pond before going swimming. The scene closes with Iris stepping into a new, self-assured chapter while the mystery of Maggie remains unresolved.
When:afternoon/evening Where:pond / Iris's home
Who Are the Main Characters in To the Stars?
8 characters, among them Iris Deerborne (Kara Hayward), Maggie Richmond (Liana Liberato) and Hazel Atkins (Adelaide Clemens): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
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Iris Deerborne (Kara Hayward)
Played by Kara Hayward
A shy, overlooked teenager who seeks belonging and romance while facing emotional pressure at home. Iris evolves through her friendships, learning to assert her own feelings and resist others' attempts to dictate her life. Her resilience drives the film's emotional core.
- 🎀 Protagonist
- 🧭 Self-discovery
-
Maggie Richmond (Liana Liberato)
Played by Liana Liberato
A new girl whose charisma and secrets captivate her peers. Maggie uses glamor as a lure but hides a troubled home life, which drives her to seek belonging and attention. Her actions catalyze Iris's growth and ignite town-wide tensions.
- ✨ Newcomer
- 🪧 Social influence
-
Hazel Atkins (Adelaide Clemens)
Played by Adelaide Clemens
A local hair stylist whose warmth masks deeper loneliness. Hazel's bond with Maggie becomes a focal point of desire and taboo in the gossip-ridden town, drawing intense scrutiny from neighbors.
- 💇♀️ Local figure
- 🪞 Hidden depths
-
Gerald Richmond (Tony Hale)
Played by Tony Hale
Maggie's protective father who wrestles with pride, fear, and disappointment in his daughter. He seeks to restore order after the town's accusations escalate, blending care with controlling tendencies.
- 👨👧 Father figure
- 🔍 Authority
-
Hank Deerborne (Shea Whigham)
Played by Shea Whigham
Iris's father, a steady presence amid a turbulent household. He embodies working-class family expectations in a small town and contributes to the family dynamic when issues surface.
- 👨👧 Family
- 🛡️ Protectiveness
- CD
Clarissa Dell (Madisen Beaty)
Played by Madisen Beaty
The popular girl who embodies the school’s social pecking order. Clarissa's emphasis on appearance and dating makes her a driver of Iris's social challenges.
- 👑 Bully
- 🌪️ Social climber
-
Jeff Owings (Lucas Jade Zumann)
Played by Lucas Jade Zumann
A shy student who harbors feelings for Iris but lacks the confidence to act. Jeff's quiet presence grounds the romance subplot and highlights youthful vulnerability.
- 💬 Quiet love interest
- 🧭 Hesitation
-
Edith McCoy (Tina Parker)
Played by Tina Parker
A mother figure in the town reflecting traditional expectations. Her interactions with others illustrate the domestic pressures shaping the younger characters.
- 🧩 Family dynamic
- 🗣️ Gossip
Where and When Is To the Stars Set?
To the Stars is set in Rural town in Oklahoma (1960). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1960
Set in 1960, a period when traditional gender roles and community scrutiny defined life in small-town America. People know each other by name and rumors spread quickly, shaping reputations and relationships. The year provides the social context for Iris's coming-of-age, friendships, and the town's moral judgments.
Where
Rural town in Oklahoma
The story unfolds in a small, close-knit town in rural Oklahoma during the 1960s. The community is shaped by gossip and convention, where appearance and reputation govern daily life. The local pond and other common spaces become focal points for adolescence, secrets, and escape.
- ❄️ Small-town dynamics
- 🎭 Social pressure
- 🪞 Self-image
What Are the Themes of To the Stars?
4 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Identity & Growth, Conformity & Judgment and Friendship & Empowerment.
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01
Identity & Growth
Iris's arc from shy, bullied teen to someone who asserts her own feelings is mirrored by Maggie's bold influence. The friendship becomes a catalyst for self-acceptance and personal courage. The film emphasizes how youth navigate self-image within a strict social framework.
-
02
Conformity & Judgment
Gossip, appearances, and reputation drive much of the town's reactions to Maggie and Hazel. The community targets those who defy norms, leading to vandalism, fear, and drastic consequences. The narrative examines the cost of upholding rigid standards.
-
03
Friendship & Empowerment
Iris and Maggie's bond offers a space for honesty, risk-taking, and mutual support. Their alliance challenges the town's hierarchies and demonstrates how female friendship can empower individuals to imagine different futures. The dynamic reveals both resilience and danger in stepping outside expectations.
-
04
Escapism & Longing
The pond and late-night escapes symbolize a desire to flee judgment and be true to oneself. Iris's yearning to disappear captures the intensity of adolescence under pressure. The film builds toward choices between safety, conformity, and authentic identity.
What Kind of Film Is To the Stars?
Melancholic in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Melancholic
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A melancholic and tense period drama that follows a shy teenager's painful journey of self-discovery amidst the oppressive atmosphere of 1960s small-town bigotry, culminating in a bittersweet mix of personal growth and loss.
- oppressive
- claustrophobic
- lonely
- yearning
- defiant
- tense
- coming of age
- sexual confusion
- platonic love
- conservative society
Content notes: domestic abuse, homophobia, bullying, implied suicide, emotional abuse.
Quiz
How well do you remember To the Stars? Test yourself on the story.
