Name: Red Rocket
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Released: 2021-12-10T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Simon Rex, Suzanna Son, Bree Elrod, Ethan Darbone, Brenda Deiss

The opening shot of Red Rocket lingers on the cracked asphalt of a Texas backroad, a fitting metaphor for the fractured lives about to unfold. Director Sean Baker, known for his unflinching portrayals of marginalized communities (Tangerine, The Florida Project), returns with another bleak yet captivating tale of human desperation.

Simon Rex delivers a magnetic performance as Mikey Saber, a washed-up porn star who slinks back to his hometown like a bad penny. Rex’s portrayal is a masterclass in sleazy charm, capturing Mikey’s narcissism and self-delusion with precision. His chemistry with Suzanna Son, who plays the much younger Strawberry, is palpable, even if their relationship is built on exploitation rather than genuine connection.

The film’s strength lies in its unvarnished authenticity. Baker and co-writer Chris Bergoch craft a world that feels lived-in and grimy, from the fluorescent-lit doughnut shop to Mikey’s mother-in-law’s cramped trailer. The sound design—cicadas buzzing, air conditioners humming, the occasional burst of country music—immerses you in the stifling Texas heat.

However, Red Rocket stumbles in its pacing. At over two hours, the film feels overly indulgent at times, particularly in its meandering middle act. The tension between Mikey’s manipulative schemes and Strawberry’s burgeoning independence is compelling, but the narrative occasionally loses focus, leaving you to wonder when the next major development will arrive.

The film’s originality shines in its unapologetic portrayal of late-stage capitalism and the perversion of the American Dream. Mikey embodies the worst of human greed—charming yet utterly self-serving—but Baker never reduces him to a caricature. Instead, he offers a nuanced, if deeply flawed, protagonist whose downfall is as tragic as it is inevitable.

That said, Red Rocket isn’t for the faint of heart. Its dark humor and unflinching realism make it a challenging watch, even for fans of Baker’s previous work. The film’s ending, while thematically consistent, might leave some viewers feeling unsatisfied rather than cathartic.

In the end, Red Rocket is a flawed but fascinating character study that rewards patience with its raw, unfiltered portrayal of human frailty.

Tags: dramas, Sean Baker, Bree Elrod, Red Rocket, Simon Rex, Suzanna Son