What Is To the Stars About?
The premise of To the Stars in 305 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the golden heat of 1960s Oklahoma, a modest farming community clings to tradition while the world beyond its borders hints at change. The film bathes the landscape in warm, sun‑kissed hues, letting the rhythm of cornfields, creaking porches, and small‑town gossip set a nostalgic yet restless backdrop. Beneath the gentle veneer, a quiet strain of yearning pulses through the everyday, promising a story of self‑discovery.
At the heart of this world is Iris Deerborne, a teenage daughter of a hardworking farmer. Shy and introspective, she navigates a home where expectations weigh heavily and school corridors echo with teasing and isolation. Though she dreams of slipping away into the night, she also feels an undercurrent of curiosity that urges her to glimpse a life beyond the roles prescribed for her. Her inner world flickers with both fear and a longing for something brighter.
The arrival of Maggie Richmond, a free‑spirited newcomer with a quick smile and an air of restless adventure, upends the town’s delicate equilibrium. With stories of distant places and a confidence that seems to defy the town’s quiet conventions, she draws the attention of peers and the suspicion of elders. When she and Iris cross paths, an unexpected friendship forms—a bond that offers both girls a chance to see themselves reflected in a new, more daring light.
As their connection deepens, the pair find themselves caught between the comforting predictability of home and the intoxicating promise of stepping into the unknown. The surrounding community watches, whispers, and subtly pressures them, creating a backdrop of tension that mirrors the larger cultural shifts of the era. Within this delicate dance of acceptance and rebellion, Iris begins to question the limits imposed on her, while Maggie confronts what it means to truly belong. Their journey hints at a transformative summer where courage may eclipse fear.
What Happens in To the Stars?
The complete story of To the Stars, from the first scene to the last, in 714 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout.
Spoilers ahead
Iris [Kara Hayward] Deerborne is a teenager living in a rural Oklahoma town in 1960. The shy Iris is emotionally abused by her mother Francie Deerborne [Jordana Spiro], who wishes her daughter were more glamorous. At home, her father Hank Deerborne [Shea Whigham] tries to shield his family from the town’s judgment. At school she is bullied by many of the other kids, especially the popular but insecure “queen bee” Clarissa Dell. Iris harbors a quiet attraction to Jeff Owings [Lucas Jade Zumann], a fellow student who works for her father. Iris frequently sneaks out at night to swim in a local pond, wishing that she could disappear.
One day, as she walks to school, Iris is accosted by several boys. Maggie Richmond [Liana Liberato], a new girl in town, chases them off and tells everyone her father is a glamorous photographer for Life magazine who has photographed movie stars and dignitaries. Later, she confesses that her father actually works for an agricultural trade publication. Maggie’s family includes her mother Grace Richmond [Malin Åkerman], and Maggie quickly befriends Iris, inviting her into a circle that’s eager to stand out from the town’s narrow conventions.
Iris and Maggie become fast friends, and Maggie convinces Iris to skip school so they can get makeovers, with hairdos from the local stylist Hazel Atkins [Adelaide Clemens]. Iris’s fresh look and new confidence begin to win her greater acceptance among the other girls, who are keen to snag dates for the upcoming school dance. At the dance, Iris finally finds the nerve to dance with Jeff Owings [Lucas Jade Zumann], much to the surprise of their peers.
Maggie’s family is thrilled when she’s asked to the prom by a popular football player, Craig Butler. Maggie’s mother takes her dress shopping for the occasion, and Maggie again visits Hazel Atkins for a new hairdo. Maggie learns that the photograph everyone believes to be Hazel’s dead husband is actually her brother. After sharing a tender moment, Hazel touches Maggie’s cheek, and Maggie warms to the moment, then suddenly flees.
That night, Maggie goes to the pond with her new circle of friends and, frustrated by the social fallout around her, ends up having sex with Craig Butler by the water. Afterwards, a distraught Maggie goes to Iris, and the two share a drunken kiss before Maggie rushes away, leaving Iris unsettled by what she’s witnessed.
The next day, Iris learns that Craig has given Maggie a promise ring. Maggie invites the other girls and their dates to the pond to skinny-dip, an act Iris regards as a betrayal of the special place she had shared with Maggie. The confrontation that follows erupts into a feud in which Iris accuses Maggie of lying to everyone, while Maggie retorts with the nickname the other kids used for Iris’s insecurities. Ashamed of what she’s done and the people she’s with, Maggie runs to Hazel’s house, and the two kiss before Maggie enters.
Late that night, a neighbor’s sighting confirms the town’s gossip: Hazel and Maggie’s relationship has become the talk of the town. A group of men vandalize Hazel’s car and threaten her, prompting Hazel to leave town. Maggie’s father beats her again, then breaks down in tears over his idealized image of his daughter. Maggie apologizes to her parents, tells them that they won’t have to worry about her anymore, and flees into the night.
The next morning, Iris learns about what happened. She finds Maggie’s father Gerald Richmond and the police by the pond, a site locally known as the place where Jeff’s mother is believed to have committed suicide. Gerald Richmond asks Iris to tell Maggie to come home and says he doesn’t care about Maggie being “bad” anymore. Iris stands up for Maggie and tells him that she was never “bad.” The police are unable to find Maggie, either alive or dead. When a group of boys harass Iris on the road again, she throws stones at them just as Maggie did. Overhearing her mother gossip with a friend, Iris insists that Maggie isn’t dead but has fled far beyond the town’s narrow-minded reach. She then tells her mother that she’s going on her first date with a boy. Iris and Jeff kiss by the pond and then go swimming.
To the Stars Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
14 key events in the order they happen, from “Iris's troubled home and bullying” to “Iris's date and a new beginning”. 14 events name a place, across 11 locations.
- 1
Iris's troubled home and bullying
Iris Deerborne lives in a rural Oklahoma town in 1960. She endures emotional abuse from her mother Francie and faces relentless bullying at school, especially from Clarissa Dell. The combination of home strife and social cruelty makes her long for a way to disappear.
When:early 1960s Where:Iris's town and home
- 2
Maggie arrives and defends Iris
On the way to school, Iris is accosted by several boys who are chased off by Maggie Richmond, the new girl who throws rocks at them. Maggie instantly stands out as confident and fearless, contrasting Iris's timidity. Iris senses that this outsider could shake up the town's social order.
When:morning Where:on the road to school
- 3
Maggie's truth and abuse at home
Back at school, Maggie's glamour is shown to be a front when she admits her father is not a Life photographer. He is a strict man who beats her for staying out late. The family moved to escape trouble caused by her behavior, painting a troubled home life.
When:same day Where:Maggie's home
- 4
Iris and Maggie become friends
Iris and Maggie bond quickly and skip school to get makeovers from Hazel Atkins. The transformation gives Iris more confidence and earns her acceptance from more popular girls. The pair's makeover marks the start of a new social circle for Iris.
When:shortly after meeting Where:Hazel Atkins' salon
- 5
The school dance looming
With a new look, Iris begins to be included in the school circle that is chasing dates for the upcoming dance. The social stakes rise as the girls vie for partners. Iris feels a surge of possibility for a normal teenage night.
When:before dance Where:school
- 6
Dance night: Iris & Jeff, and Maggie's prom invite
At the dance, Iris finds the nerve to dance with Jeff Owings, surprising the other girls. Maggie is thrilled when Craig Butler asks her to the prom. The event signals a shift in local popularity and friendship dynamics.
When:dance night Where:school gym/dance
- 7
Hazel's photo reveal and Maggie's break
Maggie's mother takes her dress shopping for the prom. Maggie visits Hazel Atkins for a new hairdo and learns that the photograph everyone believes to be Hazel's dead husband is really Hazel's brother. After a tender moment with Hazel, Maggie flees.
When:that night Where:Hazel's salon
- 8
Maggie and Craig by the pond
Maggie finds Craig Butler and has sex with him by the pond that night. Afterwards, a distraught Maggie goes to Iris and drunkenly kisses her before apologizing and running away.
When:that night Where:the pond; Iris's place
- 9
Next day: promise ring and skinny-dipping
The next day Iris learns that Craig has given Maggie a promise ring. Maggie invites the other girls and their dates to go skinny-dipping in the pond, provoking Iris who saw the pond as their shared retreat. The tension between them grows as rumors spread.
When:the next day Where:pond
- 10
The fight and Maggie's self-reflection
Iris and Maggie have a big fight, with Iris accusing Maggie of lying about who she is. Maggie derides Iris with old bullying taunts, deepening the rift between them. The confrontation pushes Maggie toward taking drastic action.
When:the same day Where:pond
Show the other 4 events of To the Stars Hide the last 4 events
- 11
Maggie flees to Hazel's and confession
Overwhelmed, Maggie flees to Hazel's house, where they share a kiss and Maggie steps further into Hazel's world. Gossip spreads through town, making Hazel a target. The moment ends with Maggie entering Hazel's home late at night.
When:late night Where:Hazel's house
- 12
Backlash and Maggie's disappearance
A mob of locals vandalizes Hazel's car and threatens her, leading her to leave town. Maggie's father beats her again, then breaks down, and Maggie decides she cannot stay and flees into the night.
When:following days Where:Hazel's town and Maggie's home
- 13
Morning confrontation at the pond
The next morning Iris finds Maggie's father and the police by the pond, a site linked to Jeff's mother's suicide. Gerald Richmond pleads for Maggie to come home, but Iris stands up for her friend, insisting that Maggie isn't dead and has fled.
When:morning Where:pond
- 14
Iris's date and a new beginning
Feeling empowered, Iris tells her mother that she is going on her first date with a boy. She and Jeff share a kiss by the pond and go swimming, signaling a new sense of possibility for Iris.
When:after Where:pond
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.
-
Iris Deerborne (Kara Hayward)
Played by Kara Hayward
A shy, emotionally vulnerable teenager who endures her mother's pressure to be glamorous. Iris discovers friendship and courage through Maggie's arrival and their shared defiance of the town's gossip. Her experiences culminate in a quieter, determined sense of self.
- ❄️ Shy
- 🌱 Coming-of-age
- 🧭 Self-discovery
-
Maggie Richmond (Liana Liberato)
Played by Liana Liberato
A new girl whose charisma draws attention in a town hungry for status. She negotiates popularity with a complicated personal life, risking scandal as her relationships become public. Maggie's journey collides with Iris's, exposing hunger for belonging and the consequences of rebellion.
- 🔥 Bold
- 🌪️ Outsider
- 💔 Romantic turmoil
-
Hazel Atkins (Adelaide Clemens)
Played by Adelaide Clemens
A local hair stylist whose past and vulnerability attract Maggie and provoke gossip. Hazel's warmth and secrecy reveal a more fragile side under town scrutiny, ultimately leading her to flee to escape the backlash.
- 🎨 Stylist
- 🌪️ Secretive
- 👀 Gossip target
-
Jeff Owings (Lucas Jade Zumann)
Played by Lucas Jade Zumann
A shy classmate who works for Iris's father and harbors quiet feelings for Iris. He represents the unspoken crushes and social awkwardness of adolescence, serving as Iris's invitation to take risks with someone she cares about.
- 🎒 Shy student
- 💭 Quiet dreamer
- 🧭 Loyal
-
Gerald Richmond (Tony Hale)
Played by Tony Hale
Maggie's protective father and a figure of authority in the community. His stern, conventional outlook intensifies the town's judgment and the pressure on his daughter and Iris's circle.
- 👔 Patriarch
- 🗯️ Traditionalist
- 🏡 Family man
-
Grace Richmond (Malin Åkerman)
Played by Malin Åkerman
Maggie's mother whose outward glamour contrasts with the town's provincial morality. Her presence and choices hint at the complexities of parenthood and reputation in a small town.
- 💎 Glamorous
- ❤️ Family-oriented
- 🛡️ Protective
-
Hank Deerborne (Shea Whigham)
Played by Shea Whigham
Iris's father, a practical man who embodies the town's expectations and routines. His role underscores the pressure Iris faces at home as she seeks a different path.
- 🧰 Practical
- 🗣️ Reserved
- 👨👧 Family man
-
Len McCoy (JD Evermore)
Played by J.D. Evermore
A local deputy who participates in the town's enforcement of norms and order. His presence adds to the sense of surveillance and the risk involved in defying expectations.
- 🗺️ Local authority
- 👀 Watchful
- 🚓 Community figure
Where and When Is To the Stars Set?
To the Stars is set in Rural Oklahoma and United States (1960). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1960
The story unfolds in the year 1960, a period of traditional gender roles and repressed sexuality in small-town America. Public norms dictate behavior while private lives simmer beneath the surface. The era's social constraints amplify Iris's longing for autonomy and Maggie's clandestine rebellion.
Where
Rural Oklahoma, United States
A close-knit, conservative rural town in Oklahoma serves as the backdrop. Its streets, schools, and ponds are local stages for gossip and social pressure. The landscape shapes the characters' ambitions, fears, and desires to belong or escape.
- ❄️ Small-town atmosphere
- 🗺️ Rural life
- 🕊️ Community dynamics
What Are the Themes of To the Stars?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Coming of age, Gossip & reputation and Freedom & consequence.
-
01
Coming of age
Iris's teenage awakening unfolds under the watchful eyes of a judgmental community. Her new friendship with Maggie sparks confidence and curiosity she rarely shows at home or at school. The makeover, dances, and secret pond moments chart her slow reclamation of self.
-
02
Gossip & reputation
Small-town rumors drive the plot, often fueling fear and shaming around sexuality and nonconformity. As Maggie's relationship with Hazel becomes public, neighbors judge and police, threatening stability for those involved. The community's fixation on appearances forces characters to choose between safety and truth.
-
03
Freedom & consequence
Maggie's disappearance and the hurt caused by the gossip expose the costs of rebellion in a conservative town. Iris learns to stand up for a friend and to resist the pressure to conform. The film frames personal freedom against communal judgment, offering a cautious optimism for resilience.
What Kind of Film Is To the Stars?
Bittersweet in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Bittersweet
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A tense and melancholic period drama that explores the oppressive weight of conservative society on young women, offering moments of tender friendship and self-discovery amidst painful consequences.
- oppressive
- melancholic
- hopeful
- tense
- nostalgic
- introspective
- coming of age
- lgbtq+ identity
- friendship
- societal repression
Content notes: domestic abuse, homophobic violence, bullying, emotional abuse, implied suicide.
Quiz
How well do you remember To the Stars? Test yourself on the story.
