Fading Star
Genre: Drama
Director: Christopher Storer
Writer: Holden Abbott
Cast: Chloe Grace Moretz, Laura Linney, Mark Ruffalo, Leo Woodall, Charlie Tahan, Eliza Coupe, Fivel Stewart
Plot: Olivia Holloway (Chloe Grace Moretz) sits on a couch staring in disbelief at her phone, watching a tabloid news story - in the video is herself with the headline, “Former Child Star’s Public Meltdown: Where Did It All Go Wrong?” She begins pacing around her apartment before receiving a phone call from her mother. On the other side her mother is her voice of reason - she pleads with Olivia to come back home - leave LA behind and settle back down locally. When Olivia hangs up she sits in silence, contemplating the decision.
Olivia sits in a taxi - delivering her to her childhood home. Through conversation with the taxi driver it is revealed Olivia has not been home in 10 years. After a brief awkward conversation Olivia sits in silence.
Olivia is met on her childhood home’s doorstep by her mother Linda (Laura Linney) - although Linda seems relieved to have her daughter home, she also seems to feel the weight of the scandal bringing her home. Their reunion is very simple, a hug and Linda asking if she needs food. Olivia says she’s ok walking straight toward her childhood bedroom - filled with memorabilia from her time as a child star. These items, once symbols of success - now remind her of everything she’s lost.
Linda comes into her room and sits next to Olivia. She asks Olivia if she needs anything she will always be here. Olivia looks at her in silence, Linda tells her that she knows that in the past she has pushed her and she’s sorry but she is glad she’s back. Linda tells Olivia that she will leave her be until she is ready. Olivia nods at her mother - thanking her.
Olivia goes for a walk around town - hood on. Marcus Wright (Leo Woodall) a former neighbor of Olivia recognises her as she walks - he attempts to approach her but can’t seem to find the words. He simply just welcomes her back to town, mentioning he remembers her as a young girl and is glad to see her back in town.
Later, Olivia walks into a local cafe and runs into Tom Harris (Charlie Tahan), a local journalist who grew up watching Olivia on TV. Tom initially sees Olivia as a story to capitalize on - his chance to write about a fallen star - but as the two of them talk, he senses that there is more to Olivia than the tabloids show. Still, his professional instincts begin to tug at him, as she leaves the cafe he wonders whether this could be his big break.
Olivia walks the streets of her small hometown. Some residents seem to still recognise her and admire her - however most have moved on. She stumbles upon a house that she recognises from her childhood. Her former friend Rachel (Fivel Stewart) exits the building, Olivia approaches her straight away. Rachel seems to resent Olivia for past wrongdoings. Rachel mentions that she has moved on from Olivia - she left her when she needed her most. Olivia is shocked, she was following her dream, but now Rachel resents her? Their conversation is uncomfortable.
Olivia returns back home and immediately goes to her mother - she recognises that she may not fit in this town anymore. Linda mentions a therapist she visits - maybe it's a good idea for Olivia to as well? She seems hesitant at first but agrees.
Tom Harris spots Olivia walk into the therapist office. He immediately begins to think - could this be his chance to capture a big story.
Olivia visits Dr. Jenna Brooks (Eliza Coupe) - she is calm, grounded and unphased by Olivia’s fame. In the beginning Olivia feels as though no one can understand the public scrutiny she faces as a former star. Jenna listens with patience, gently guiding Olivia to confront her past, but Olivia struggles to face the truth of what the industry did to her—how she was molded into a character rather than allowed to grow into her own person.
Tom makes it seem like happenstance when he runs into Olivia once more. Seeing she is distressed he asks if she wants to go for a coffee. She nods.
While getting a coffee the conversation starts off small and meaningful - a smile appearing on Olivia’s face. Once that smile appears, Tom sees his chance. Tom begins bombarding Olivia with questions - about her childhood, about her life now and about the therapist. Why would she be going there? What’s happening in her life. She begs him to stop, tears falling from her eyes. She pleads with him to stop.
As Olivia leaves the cafe she is immediately met by paparazzi attempting to catch her out. She runs from the cameras trying to cover her face. She manages to get away, recognising a building up ahead. Tom stands back, almost regretting his actions.
She walks into the building, the old studio where she filmed her TV show as a child. The lot is abandoned, reminding her of a time when her life was dictated by schedules, managers, and the pressure to perform. Her return to the studio sparks a series of vivid flashbacks to the days when she was a star, showing the unhealthy relationships she had with her managers and co-stars. Olivia had been pushed into the limelight, forced to project an image that was not her own. As she stares at an old picture of herself she begins to hyperventilate. She pulls the picture off the wall and smashes it on the ground. She grabs a coat rack and begins slamming the picture letting out a guttural scream.
Olivia’s emotional state continues to deteriorate. She becomes more isolated, drinking excessively, and the pressure of living up to the world’s expectations starts to consume her. Her breakdowns grow more frequent, culminating in a night where Olivia publicly lashes out during an encounter with the press. This outburst is captured by photographers and further fuels her downward spiral.
Afterward, Olivia retreats even further. Her mother, Linda, tries to comfort her, but Olivia’s frustration with her family’s inability to understand her pain deepens. She reaches out to Gary Holloway (Mark Ruffalo), her estranged father, in a moment of vulnerability. Gary, a washed-up former actor himself, is living alone in a shabby apartment. His return into Olivia’s life brings to light the brokenness that has always existed in their family. Gary is too far gone to be the father Olivia needs, and his emotional neglect during her childhood is evident. As they talk, Olivia realizes that her father's own unfulfilled dreams contributed to her struggles. The cycle of failed hopes and dreams runs deep in her family. Nonetheless the two of them continue to talk, whether it’s to air out the grievances or reconnect, even Olivia is unsure. Before leaving Gary attempts to apologise to Olivia. He places his arms around her - hugging her. The two offer each other a smile - a silent but loving gesture between the two.
As she leaves her father she is approached once more by Marcus, he offers her a quiet presence, unlike everyone else - he does not see her as a star, but a person who’s seems to have been through a lot. He encourages her to let go of the past and accept the reality of who she has become. Despite their connection, Olivia is still trapped in her self-loathing and doubt, unwilling to fully open up to Marcus about her internal battles.
The opportunity for a fresh start presents itself when Olivia receives a call from her former agent, offering her a role in a small independent film. The role could help her reclaim some part of her old life—yet, it is also a reminder of everything she hated about the industry. She questions it. Should she accept the role, giving in to the familiar pressures of Hollywood, or should she let go of the past entirely?
In this moment, Olivia returns to Jenna, who has been a quiet yet steady presence throughout her journey. In their final therapy session, Jenna forces Olivia to confront the truth: she cannot keep running. She has to face the fact that her worth is not tied to her fame or the approval of others. Jenna helps her realize that healing means accepting who she truly is, flaws and all.
Olivia rings her agent back again. She tells the agent that she wants to accept the role.
A few months later.
After filming the independent film - Sunset Dreams - we see Olivia back in her hometown smiling on the streets, looking better than ever. When she returns to her home she immediately opens a bottle of whiskey, sits down at the door and drinks. She places the drink on the ground. She cries - almost in silence.
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