Red Rocket
2021
****
Director: Sean Baker
Cast: Simon Rex, Bree Elrod, Suzanna Son, Brenda Deiss, Ethan Darbone, Brittney Rodriguez, Judy Hill, Shih-Ching Tsou, Parker Bigham, Victoria Perez
A washed-up and self-deluded adult film star Mikey Sabre returns to his hometown in Texas with his tail between his legs, but it doesn't take long for him to exploit everyone around him. Sean Baker's follow-up to The Florida Project is another non-judgemental portrayal of people on the edge of society. This darkly comic drama features one of the least likeable protagonists of all time. Mikey is a charming and sociable but duplicitous and depraved scumbag, but his inevitable downfall is oddly entertaining. Simox Rex gives an energetic lead performance.
