The Starling Girl

In the poignant coming-of-age drama "The Starling Girl," director Laurel Parmet tackles the complexities of religion, love, and identity through the eyes of 17-year-old Jem Starling, a young woman struggling to find her place within a strict Christian fundamentalist community in Kentucky. As she begins an illicit relationship with Owen, a charismatic youth pastor, Jem must navigate the blurred lines between sin and freedom, confronting the rigid expectations that have suffocated her desires and dreams. With a nuanced performance from Eliza Scanlen, Parmet's thoughtful debut film explores the intricate web of relationships that shape Jem's life, including her fraught bond with her controlling father and her secret passion for dance.