Maps to the Stars (2014) is a psychological drama directed by David Cronenberg which is already known for his disturbing method of storytelling, the film features Bruce Wagner’s satirical writing on Hollywood’s love for fame, fortune, and horrifyingly concealed trauma. Blending social and psychological horror with surrealism, it is arguably one of Cronenberg’s most outrageous films.
Plot Summary
The plot follows the intertwining lives of different people in Hollywood:
Havana Segrand (Julianne Moore) is an actress who is on the verge of being irrelevant in the industry, increasingly desperate for a role inversely associated with her mother. Taggart (Sarah Gadon), who was presumed to have emotionally neglected her, was always her child’s worst nightmare. Havana is neurotic, deeply insecure, and is metaphorically and literally hunted by her past.
Agatha Weiss (Mia Wasikowska) is a mysterious woman with scars from burns that was never elaborated movements. She moves to Los Angeles where she starts working as an assistant to a movie star. She is later revealed to have a dark history with her estranged family.
Dr. Stafford Weiss (John Cusack) is a spokesperson for the self-help industry and a secret self-loathing martyr wrapped in an affluence. Everything hinges on the rotting pieces of the elite in Hollywood while he hides his own family secrets.
Christina Weiss (Olivia Williams) is Stafford’s wife and she is his personal tyrant and mother to Benjie. Controlling and possessive of her son’s career. A professional momager.
Benjie Weiss (Evan Bird) – having visions that disturb him and struggling to keep his career afloat. A 13-year-old child prodigy who recently came out of rehabilitation.
Jerome Fontana (Robert Pattinson) – An actor-wannabe limo driver gets drawn into Agatha’s demented universe.
The film deals with themes of incest, abuse, and mental illness with the morally corrupted hollwood and its family caricature. The film ends on a series of unfortunate violent events while also emphasizing the impacts of fame and family dysfunctional problems.
Themes And Cultural Significance
Maps to the Stars is a harsh film. It critiques Hollywood’s fame obsession, self-promoting behaviour and trauma-inducing features. The film exposes the entertainment industry’s dark side by using younger stars and glamorizing beauty and youth. With the use of an aggravating star, the film’s plot crosses into emptiness of the celebrity culture. Agatha and Benja portray a modern Oedipal tale which makes the film cross into Classical mythology theme the film further explores.
Cast & Performances
Julianne Moore’s portrayal of Havana Segrand in which she played ‘a star is born’ received her the best actress award for best unhinged performance at Cannes.
Mia Wasikowska turns Agatha into one of the most intriguing characters of the film with her haunting performances, turning Benjie’s defying portrayal with vulnerability Ed.
The superficial and toxic parenting culture of Hollywood is perfectly depicted by John Cusack and Olivia Williams.
Evan Bird portrays Benjie with a blend of arrogance and fragility to show the impact of being a child star.
Robert Pattison gives Jerome a subtle but interesting performance, passively witnessing the mayhem happening around him.
Critical Reception
The reviews for the film were largely positive, with particular praise for Moore’s performance and Cronenberg’s performance. Critics enjoyed the film’s biting satire and disturbing atmosphere, but criticized its unsettling nature, at times incoherence, and loose structure. Its average score is 61% on Rotten Tomatoes and 67 on Metacritic, which shows generally positive reviews.
Behind-the-Scene & Production
This was Cronenberg’s first film produced in the United States, even though the majority of his work has been Canadian films.
The screenplay written by Bruce Wagner had been considered too controversial to film when it was first proposed.
Moore’s character, Havana, is based on real life Hollywood personalities, which adds an unsettling facet to the film that is already steeped in fiction.
Its depiction of ghostly apparitions and surreal moments adds to that psychological horror feel to the film, making it looks like a warped Hollywood fever nightmare.
Concluding Remarks
Maps to the Stars is a spine chilling, satirical mockumentary on Hollywood’s most grotesque and shocking exposes, complete with absurd comedy and psychological dread. It is a discomforting yet mesmerizing view when looked at from the perspective of fans of Cronenberg’s unusual style of narration. If you’re a fan of Mulholland Drive (2001) and The Neon Demon (2016), then this is definitely a ‘must watch’ for you.
