"Starry Eyes" (2014): An Underrated Thriller

If you want to do what you love, just do it.

“Starry Eyes” is a 2014 film. Hoping to grow her Hollywood career, Sarah, an aspiring actress, enters into a deadly agreement in exchange for fame and fortune. The consequences cost Sarah her mental health and identity, sending her spiraling into madness.

I love October for its crisp fall air and finding new horror movies to watch. I pulled “Starry Eyes” out of the museum of underrated gems. Its subject matter relates closely to world events right now. This visceral film takes cunning risks, but its ending is too out there. 

Alexandra Essoe has to be one of the most underrated actresses in Hollywood. I first saw her in Mike Flanagan’s “Doctor Sleep” (2019) as Wendy Torrance. Even in that small role, I was intrigued by her work and immediately looked up her film history. 

Essoe plays Sarah, a woman who dreams of being a star. Sarah is an introvert who likes her privacy from everything, which hinders her from taking risks. Essoe is terrific in the role. Every part of this role is challenging, from mental to how Essoe physically manifests her character’s unsettling decline. 

Credits include Amanda Fuller, Noah Segan, Fabianne Therese, Shane Coffey, Natalie Castillo, Pat Healy, Nick Simons, Maria Olsen, Marc Senter, and Louis Dezseran.

The supporting characters have an important role in “Starry Eyes.” Sarah has several extroverted roommates who are the total opposite of her. Despite that, they still care about Sarah. After Sarah comes home in tears, Tracy (Fuller) immediately comforts Sarah in her room. 

Another favorite character was Carl (Healy), Sarah’s boss. He is the boss we all need. Our career path doesn’t always go in the direction we want, but Carl tries to give Sarah his best advice. Healy’s performance is an excellent example of how to make small roles stand out. 

Whether roommates, your boss, or friends, everyone cares about Sarah’s unsettling behavior. With all the darkness in the world right now, it’s refreshing to see people looking out for others.

Kevin Kolsch and Dennis Widmyer made a realistic horror film in their screenwriting/directorial debuts. The pair spent a long time trying to get the film to its feet. They were inspired to create a film about actors building their careers. The tension slowly builds throughout the film. Viewers also question what is real and what is not.

Adam Bricker’s cinematography builds dread through atmosphere. We’re viewing the film through Sarah’s eyes. The camera work becomes especially effective as Sarah’s transformation progresses. Certain scenes were quick, nightmarish cuts. Sarah’s second audition is unsettling, with inserts of monster-like faces. Are we seeing what we think?

Hear me out, this is one bloody film. The climax has very graphic scenes. Kolsch and Wydmyer said they always wanted to explore body horror, and this was the right opportunity. I am astounded that nobody was recognized for the hair and makeup effects. Sarah’s grueling transformation is so effective. 

Take caution, as “Starry Eyes” has triggering subject matter about sexual assault. Similar stories to Sarah’s situation have been silenced in Hollywood. Sarah is so affected by the events that she can’t leave her room, starving herself. 

The climax felt out of place. It’s not the angle I thought the film would take. First, Starry Night” is a commentary on Hollywood, until taking a cult direction. Then again, its message also reflects: be careful who you speak to and where you end up.

Take a look at “Starry Eyes” (2014) this October. It does not deserve its place as an underrated horror gem. Find it on Tubi.