Why I took it off the list:
The evocative poster for this film caught my eye, and I was even more intrigued after reading the log line, so decided to give it a watch.
So, let’s dig in!!
Review of Falling Stars (2023)
This low-budget independent flick opens with title cards that clue us into the mechanics of this alternate world: “Every year by the full moon of late October, witches from high use the night as cover to descend onto earth’s harvest. Skygazers say they resemble falling stars. In hungry years, the stars fall early”.
We see a dog walker out for a run along a desolate highway. As the winds whip the foliage, she notices some stars glowing brightly, before she seemingly disappears, the dog leash falling forlornly to the ground.
We then see 2 sequences that build out the world further: a scene of a seemingly abandoned house as an emergency brodcast warning residents to stay inside until dawn for their safety flashes across the television. The action then moves to a radio station where a DJ is monitoring the appearance of errant stars.
Finally, we’re introduced to the central characters, 3 brothers who are conducting a harvest ritual, to build a fairy ring for protection against the falling witches. When they realize they’re missing a key ingredient, valerian, the 3 decide to drive out to their friend Rob’s trailer to look for the plant.
Along the way, it’s revealed that Rob shot and killed one of the falling witches the year before, and so, once they unite with him, they all agree to go check out the witches’ grave in the deep desert.
Moody and Atmospheric but Meandering
These early scenes are full of exposition-filled conversation between the group that is hard to keep track of, but things get clearer when they get to the grave site and Mike explains the rules of interacting with the witch. Rule no 1: No pictures. Rule no.2: No touching. Rule no.3: Do not take anything. Rule no. 4: Do not look at it for more than 5 minutes or you could become bewitched.
Unfortunately, when they dig up the witch , youngest brother Adam accidentally spills beer on the remains, desecrating the corpse. Eldest brother Mike suggests burning the body to avoid a curse, but they flee instead.
However, it soon appears that a curse is following them, as both Rob and his wife mysteriously disappear.
Soon after the brothers leave the desert and the film comes to something of a standstill as they stop by their mother’s house and she recounts a long story about a woman who wanted to be a witch and then disappeared. She then tells Mike that he has to go back and burn the witch’s corpse before dawn or everyone they come in contact with will be doomed.
Falling Stars is moody and atmospheric but gets bogged down with a few too many expository scenes and subplots in its second act, including all the material at the radio station and a diversion involving a hitchhiker.
The ending is also somewhat anti-climatic, going for a vague conclusion that leaves more questions than answers.
Final score: 6/10
Falling Stars (2023): Worth Watching?
It depends, Falling Stars feels unique. It has a fascinating premise and has great world-building but gets a bit too bogged down in exposition and drawn-out scenes.
