Directed by Claire Denis
Starring Margaret Qualley and Joe Alwyn

With every film I watch, I try to leave the cinema at least understanding what the title meant. I figure, if I can do that, maybe the movie wasn’t too confusing. To my great frustration, the title was one of the few aspects that I didn’t quite understand in the unnerving Stars at Noon -a film predicated on a lack of knowledge and understanding that slowly lulls its’ audience into a sense of comfortable discomfort in the unfamiliar terrain of Nicaragua.

Moving past the exotic terrain, several other elements of the performance remove audiences from familiarity, with the coronavirus playing a major role in the feasibility of travel anywhere in the world, let alone remote South American countries where fears of violence ruling the streets is a common staple of stereotype. Ignoring pre-supposed dispositions however, Stars at Noon slowly peels back layers of intrigue and nuance, revealing a plot bigger than any narrative focused on in-depth throughout the film’s runtime.

This kind of use of an ulterior narrative, one that audiences can acknowledge should they choose, strengthens the storytelling used to create the couple we are focusing on. As each character chooses to erect towering walls around who they truly are, director Claire Denis uses this ulterior plot to encourage audiences to suspend their curiosity and instead live in the ever-changing moment -however stressful that may be.

The worst parts of Stars at Noon are when interactions between character carry a heavily felt foreshadowing, whose consequences will move mountains as the runtime slowly creeps closer to the two-hour mark. And when I say ‘worst’, I mean that in the sick way that Denis creates the discomfort that will unnerve, dishevel, ultimately intrigue you despite all logic suggesting these characters are currently enveloped in a downward spiral.

With caution in my heart, I held my breath as Trish’s accent fluctuated wildly between South and North American in Qualley’s performance. And yet, looking back I can pinpoint my impatient criticism as the moment Stars at Noon began its steady journey of earning my trust and respect. Everything in this film, whether seeming distracted or lazy, ultimately leads to further deception in the most enjoyable sense.

I just wish I understood the title…

Stars at Noon is showing in selected cinemas across Australia from December 1st.

Moviedoc thanks Rialto Distribution and Annette Smith: Ned & Co for providing a screener link to watch and review this film.

Reviewed by Zak Wheeler for Moviedoc

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