Review by John Delia
Here’s a horror thriller that’s pretty cool for a younger crowd over the age of 17 to around 24 if they like the genre. With teens being the main focus in this supernatural film, it tends to lean towards their interest since the older movie goers may have already seen similar plot points. The build up to the characters takes up most of the first act of Star Light before the action takes hold and while we get a feel for the teens, that beginning tends to be superfluous to the thriller last act.
In his last year of high school, Dylan (Cameron Johnson) still has a lot of angst to deal with in both school and at home. His two years prior to this year found him changing schools due to personal problems, but here he has found a friend base. His mother (Tiffany Shepis) is still having troubles dealing with Dylan and his new friends, but with his senior year coming to a close, she’s got her mind set on enrolling him in a college.
As the year comes to a close we find Dylan hanging with Nick (Rahart Adams), the son of a wealthy businessman whose dad spends a lot of time out of town. Dylan’s interest right now is his crush on super rock star Bebe and it keeps him in a good mood. However, after an upsetting visit by the local Reverend, love interest of his mother, Dylan heads back to Nick’s where a party is in full swing. It’s the beginning of a night that will have Dylan bumping into Bebe who is on the run from a very crazed satanic bodyguard Anton (Bret Roberts).
Directors and the writers of the film Michell Altieri and Lee Cummings team up to bring their film to VOD in the midst of the pandemic. While the production value of the film is pretty darn good, the direction by the two gets out of control at times, especially dealing with relationships, timing, support acting, subplots, and the reasoning behind what takes place. To be frank, it really doesn’t work for the fan base if they are truly horror followers as it was very easy to become bored with the predictable mess.
Star Light has not been rated by the MPAA, but contains bloody violence, suggestive sex, language, grisly images, and drug use.
FINAL ANALYSIS: Not the sharpest knife in the drawer. (1 out of 5 stars)
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Scout Taylor-Compton, Rahart Adams, Cameron Johnson, Liana Ramirez, Tiffany Shepis
Directed and written by: Michell Altieri and Lee Cummings
Genre: Supernatural Thriller, Horror
MPAA Rating: Not Rated, contains bloody violence, suggestive sex, language, grisly images, and drug use.
Running Time: 1 hr. 29 min.
Opening Date: August 4, 2020
Distributed by: 1091 Pictures
Released in: Digital and VOD