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Stars at Noon
2022 138 min France R 18+
★6.1
Drama, Romance, Crime
Director: Claire Denis
🎭 Based on
«The Stars at Noon»
byDenis Johnson
Trailers
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Description
In present-day Nicaragua, a headstrong American journalist and a mysterious English businessman strike up a romance as they become embroiled in a dangerous labyrinth of lies and conspiracies and are forced to try and escape the country.
Starring
Margaret Qualley
Actor
Joe Alwyn
Actor
Benny Safdie
Actor
Awards
Cannes Film Festival 2022
— Grand Jury Prize
Cannes Film Festival 2022
— Palme d'Or
Key opinion
Stars at Noon is a polarizing arthouse film praised for its hypnotic atmosphere and strong lead performances, yet criticized for its thin narrative and lack of emotional depth. Opinions diverge on whether its slow, meditative style creates a compelling portrait of isolation or results in a tedious, hollow experience.
| Acting | Margaret Qualley delivers a standout performance, capturing her character's vulnerability and desperation with nuance. | |
| Production | The cinematography and production design excel at creating a visually striking, aesthetically rich atmosphere. | |
| Screenplay | The plot is frequently described as vague or aimless, leaving the political stakes and character motivations frustratingly ambiguous. | |
| Pacing | The film’s slow, meditative pacing and extended runtime create an immersive experience for some, while others find the narrative progression dull and exhausting. | |
| Emotion | The chemistry between the leads and the film's erotic elements divide opinion; some see them as authentic expressions of connection, while others find them synthetic or lacking artistic impact. |