‘Star People’ Review – A Beautiful Story That Reminds Us To Look Around Rather Than Up

Almost thirty years ago, the largest mass UFO sighting in the US occurred in Arizona. Now known as The Phoenix Lights, it continues to spark fascination. The directorial debut of Adam Finberg uses this UFO event as the framing device for his film, Star People. In a story about chasing the Phoenix Light phenomenon, the film ultimately becomes a poignant exploration of self-discovery and the strength of family. By utilizing his skills from documentary filmmaking, the story presents an engaging narrative that will do more than have us looking up at the sky; instead, it will have us looking inside our souls.

After witnessing the Phoenix Lights at ten years old, Claire (Kat Cunning) years later works as a photographer and suffers periodic seizures. Though the years have gone by, she still finds herself chasing that moment when she first saw the lights. She hopes to document and capture the sighting again and make sense of what she saw. After she receives a mysterious tip, she, along with UFO streamer boyfriend Justin (Connor Paolo) and her troubled brother Taylor (McCabe Slye), set off into the Arizona desert. Along the way, their mission becomes complicated when they encounter a vulnerable immigrant family, as well as deal with their own simmering tensions. Ultimately, Claire hopes to make the trip a success and keeps her eyes on the night sky.

There is a Leonardo da Vinci quote that is particularly apt when describing Star People. “He who is fixed to a star does not change his mind.” This mantra applies to Claire, who is a woman on a mission. She toils in the pains of her broken childhood and fractured relationship with her brother. At the same time, she is both haunted and intrigued by the experience she witnessed firsthand. Cunning is particularly strong here, and she delicately balances both her pain and intrigue. The film opens with a fractious argument between Claire and Taylor’s parents. This exchange sets both the tone for the story and the diverging paths Claire and Taylor take later in life.  

The real story is the relationships between the characters. There is the withering romance between Claire and Justin and the turbulent drama of Claire and Taylor’s family. Those expecting this to be Close Encounters of the Third Kind adjacent, think again. This is not a story about UFOs. Yes, the plot point serves as a framing device, but it is here that the story of survival and reunion unfolds.  

The film cleverly subverts our expectations, delivering something much more personal than a quest to uncover what is happening in the skies. The director takes a more emotional and caring approach by questioning the unquestionable. Whereas many films venture into the dangerous territory of UFOs, here Finberg is more interested in something more profound. He dares to ask if the unexplained aspect of these sightings is more than a mere spaceship flying overhead. The experience and the framing of the Phoenix Lights unlock personal discovery for each of these characters and, in many ways, create a life-affirming moment.

In addition, there is a poignant parallel story involving an immigrant family. Ricardo (Eddie Martinez) and his daughter Gabby (Adriana Aluna Martinez) pair nicely against the fraying brother-sister relationship. Their story, while topical to our current political climate, adds both stakes to this journey into the desert and serves as a timely reminder to Claire and Taylor about what truly matters in life.  

The fact that Star People is more interested in the personal relationships between the characters, rather than turning this into a side quest about UFO sightings, is refreshing. The film is surprisingly uplifting. Set against the mesmerizing landscapes of the Arizona desert, it serves as a retreat and a discovery of passion, life, and purpose.

Star People will debut in select theaters on July 25, 2025, courtesy of Blue Harbor Entertainment. The film will be available on VOD on August 12th.