Star Straight (2023) – A Celestial Drama About Identity and Belonging
Star Straight (2023) is an ambitious and thought-provoking science fiction film that blends interstellar exploration with intimate human drama. Directed by emerging filmmaker Lana Moreno, the film explores the journey of a lone starship pilot navigating the distant edges of the galaxy—both physically and emotionally. With a minimalist setting and emotionally resonant storytelling, Star Straight stands out as a reflective and poetic entry into the sci-fi genre.
Set in the 24th century, the story follows Commander Alaric Venn (portrayed by Ezra Clarke), a decorated space navigator assigned to a solitary mission through the uncharted sector known as the Star Straight—a narrow corridor of stable space amid a violent cluster of collapsing stars. Tasked with delivering a quantum beacon to the outer colonies, Alaric is expected to make the journey alone, with only the ship's AI, VEERA, for company. But what begins as a routine operation slowly unravels into a profound internal odyssey.
As Alaric moves deeper into space, strange phenomena begin to occur: time loops, hallucinations, and memories that are not entirely his own. VEERA (voiced by Thandiwe Newton) suggests that the corridor may not be as stable as previously believed. Through surreal sequences and haunting dreamscapes, Alaric begins to confront hidden truths about himself—his past identity, his estranged family, and a former life on Earth that he had abandoned in the name of duty and conformity.
Star Straight is a metaphor-heavy journey, using the physical isolation of space to reflect emotional distance and suppressed identity. Alaric's voyage through the corridor becomes symbolic of his personal struggle with self-acceptance. Without spoiling the core twist, the film gently reveals that Alaric has been running from a part of himself long denied—making Star Straight as much a story of emotional awakening as it is one of space travel.
Ezra Clarke delivers a deeply introspective performance, balancing stoicism with vulnerability as Alaric moves from cold professionalism to emotional honesty. The chemistry between Alaric and VEERA evolves beyond the standard human-AI dynamic, becoming a philosophical dialogue on existence, memory, and the meaning of self.
Visually, Star Straight is stunning. The deep-space cinematography, rendered with a muted color palette of silvers and blues, evokes both beauty and emptiness. The ship interior is sleek yet claustrophobic, reinforcing the theme of confinement—both literal and emotional. Composer Ramin Djawadi’s ambient score adds a melancholic elegance to the unfolding narrative.
Critically, Star Straight has been praised for its narrative depth and visual artistry. Though its slow pacing and abstract storytelling may not appeal to all viewers, fans of films like Moon (2009) and Arrival (2016) will likely appreciate its meditative approach. It is not a space opera filled with explosions, but rather a quiet exploration of human complexity within the vast unknown.
In conclusion, Star Straight (2023) is a cerebral and emotional science fiction film that dares to explore what lies not only beyond the stars—but within the self. It’s a journey into the cosmos that ultimately brings its hero back home, to the truth of who he is.
