Starlet 2012
Directed by
Sean Baker
Made by
Music Box Films
Plot Summary
Discover the intricate plot of Starlet (2012). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
Jane, who goes by the name Tess, is a 21-year-old woman navigating life in Chadworth, Los Angeles, living with two dysfunctional roommates — Melissa and her boyfriend Mikey, both heavily into drugs, and accompanied by her Chihuahua, Starlet. As she attempts to personalize her space, she encounters Melissa’s restriction on painting the room due to Mikey’s need for it during his “shoots.” Fueled by a desire for change, Jane starts hunting for affordable furniture at local yard sales.
During one of her outings, she meets an elderly woman named Sadie and purchases a thermos from her. However, the real surprise comes when Jane discovers a hidden stash of cash—almost $10,000 in old $100 bills—inside the thermos. Initially, she indulges in the money by buying lavish items for herself and her dog while satisfying her drug habits. Yet, a wave of guilt washes over her, prompting Jane to attempt to return the money to Sadie. Her well-intentioned visit goes awry as Sadie dismisses her without explanation. Gripped by curiosity about the woman’s life, Jane decides to keep the money and follow Sadie.
Their paths cross more frequently after Jane goes out of her way to offer Sadie rides and surprises her at a bingo game, even paying for her taxi rides. This newfound friendship, however, takes a turn when a question about finances leads to an unfortunate incident where Sadie sprays Jane with mace. Despite the rocky start, they reconcile when Sadie reaches out to apologize, and Jane shares her fabricated story of moving to California to “find herself.” In turn, Sadie unveils her backstory as a widow for 40 years, reflecting on her late husband’s gambling addiction, which ultimately led to his untimely death.
As Jane’s professional life unfolds, it’s revealed that she and Melissa are both part of the porn industry, where Jane’s performances are more reliable than Melissa’s. Amidst her work at a porn convention in Las Vegas, Jane entrusts Starlet to Sadie, but the dog goes missing, raising tensions in their friendship. When she brings up the idea of taking a luxurious trip to Paris using the money she found, Sadie bristles at the suggestion and attempts to maintain her independence. Despite this, after a streak of good luck at bingo, Sadie agrees to the trip.
However, tensions rise when Melissa confronts Jane regarding the money spent on tickets rather than sharing it with her, leading to an explosive argument that results in Jane being kicked out. As Jane remains oblivious to the deeper implications of the money, she picks up Sadie to head to the airport, stopping briefly at a cemetery to pay respects to Sadie’s late husband. There, Jane learns of the existence of Sadie’s daughter’s grave, which leaves her shaken, setting the stage for an emotional journey filled with entangled relationships and hidden pasts.
Timeline
Track the key events of Starlet (2012) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Introduction to Tess's Life
Jane, who prefers the name Tess, is introduced as a 21-year-old navigating a chaotic life in Chadworth, Los Angeles. She lives with dysfunctional roommates Melissa and Mikey, who are heavily into drugs, and is accompanied by her beloved Chihuahua, Starlet.
Conflict Over Room Personalization
As Tess attempts to personalize her living space, she faces restrictions from Melissa regarding painting the room. This conflict arises from Mikey's need to use the room for his drug-related activities, highlighting the challenges Tess faces in her environment.
Yard Sale Adventure
Motivated to change her surroundings, Tess goes furniture hunting at local yard sales. During one of these outings, she encounters an elderly woman named Sadie, from whom she purchases a thermos.
Discovery of the Hidden Cash
Upon returning home, Tess opens the thermos and is shocked to discover nearly $10,000 in cash hidden inside. This windfall initially allows her to indulge in luxury items for herself and Starlet, as well as finance her drug habits.
Dilemma of Guilt
Although Tess enjoys the newfound wealth, guilt soon sets in. She resolves to return the money to Sadie, but her visit to the elderly woman takes an unexpected turn when Sadie dismisses her without explanation.
Developing Friendship
Curiosity drives Tess to follow Sadie, which leads to a blossoming friendship. She begins offering Sadie rides and surprises her at bingo, paying for Sadie's taxi rides, further strengthening their bond.
Mace Incident
The friendship encounters a setback when an innocent question about finances results in Sadie spraying Tess with mace. This unfortunate situation creates tension and misunderstandings between the two women.
Reconciliation and Confession
After a brief period of distance, Sadie apologizes to Tess. In their conversation, Tess fabricates a story about moving to California to find herself, while Sadie reveals her tragic past as a widow, reflecting on her husband's gambling addiction.
Tess’s Career Revelation
As the story unfolds, it is revealed that both Tess and Melissa are involved in the porn industry. Tess's reliable performances starkly contrast with Melissa's struggles, adding complexity to Tess's life choices and relationships.
Starlet Goes Missing
While attending a porn convention in Las Vegas, Tess leaves Starlet in Sadie's care. When the dog goes missing, it causes significant tension in Tess and Sadie's friendship, raising concerns and emotions about their evolving bond.
Suggestion of a Trip to Paris
Tess proposes an extravagant trip to Paris, funded by the cash she found. Sadie resists this idea, showing her desire to maintain independence despite the temptations brought on by the found money.
Argument with Melissa
Tension escalates when Melissa confronts Tess about spending money on plane tickets instead of sharing it. This confrontation culminates in an explosive argument that leads to Tess being thrown out of their shared home.
Visit to the Cemetery
On the way to the airport, Tess makes a stop at a cemetery to pay respects to Sadie's deceased husband. This visit is eye-opening for Tess, as she learns about Sadie's daughter’s grave, adding depth to their emotional journey.
Emotional Journey Begins
The cemetery visit sets the stage for a deeper exploration of both women's pasts and their complex emotional landscapes. It emphasizes the intertwining relationships and the hidden histories that shape their lives.
Characters
Meet the characters that bring Starlet (2012) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Jane (Tess)
A 21-year-old navigating life with dreams and flaws. Her naivety clashes with the harsh realities around her, and she faces moral dilemmas that influence her direction. Jane's desire for change leads to unexpected friendships and emotional growth.
Sadie
An elderly woman with a rich past, Sadie's character embodies wisdom and vulnerability. Initially aloof with Jane, her backstory about love and loss reveals the emotional depth and resilience she possesses. Her friendship with Jane adds layers to her character.
Setting
Uncover the settings of Starlet (2012), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
The movie unfolds in contemporary times, touching upon modern themes such as financial struggles, addiction, and the pursuit of personal ambitions in a fast-paced lifestyle.
Location
Chadworth, Los Angeles
Chadworth is a neighborhood in Los Angeles known for its mix of urban and suburban vibes. It reflects the struggles of young adults attempting to carve out a space in a competitive and sometimes harsh environment.
Themes
Explore the core themes of Starlet (2012). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
💸
Greed
Greed plays a central role in the film as Jane grapples with the ethics of keeping found money. Initially, she indulges herself, but her journey reflects on the consequences that arise from greed and the desire for material gains.
🤝
Friendship
The dynamic between Jane and Sadie showcases the complexities of relationships formed under unusual circumstances. Their friendship evolves through misunderstandings and reconciliations, highlighting the importance of connection and empathy.
🎭
Identity
Jane’s journey of self-discovery in the porn industry raises questions about identity and personal choice. As she tries to define herself amidst life's chaos and her relationships, the theme explores how one's past influences their present.
Featured on this page
What's After the Movie?
Not sure whether to stay after the credits? Find out!
Check out our other apps:
Actors
Companies
Latest Movies
© 2025 What's After the Movie?. All rights reserved.