The Starling

The Starling

movie

2021, Drama

WISE
54%

WISE Score

Melissa McCarthy battles a territorial bird and a mountain of grief in this well-intentioned but heavy-handed Netflix drama.

TMDB6.9
Common Sense Media
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Screenwise Verdict

The Starling is the definition of 'mid.' It wants to be a profound meditation on loss, but it often feels like a Hallmark movie with a bigger budget and a very aggressive bird. It’s safe enough for a family watch if your kids are mature, but you’ll probably spend more time explaining the nuances of clinical depression than enjoying the movie.

If you're looking for a good cry and like the cast, give it a go. But if you want a tight, engaging story that won't leave you feeling like you just sat through a therapy session you didn't sign up for, there are better options on the menu.

Age Fit

Best for older teens (14+) and adults. While there isn't 'inappropriate' content for a 10-year-old, the subject matter is profoundly adult and likely too slow or depressing for most kids.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
68

While it deals with heavy grief and mental health struggles, the core intent is healing and reconciliation. It models a couple trying to find their way back to each other, though the execution can feel a bit emotionally manipulative.

Imaginative
42

The central metaphor of a territorial bird is a bit on the nose. It doesn't push many creative boundaries, relying mostly on standard drama tropes and some middle-of-the-road CGI for the avian antagonist.

Safe
65

Technically 'clean' in terms of traditional red flags, but the central plot revolves around the death of an infant and a subsequent suicide attempt/mental health crisis. That is a massive emotional safety check for any family.

Enriching
60

It offers a look at the different ways people process trauma and the value of professional help, though critics argue it handles these deep topics with a somewhat shallow touch.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • Strong leads in Melissa McCarthy and Chris O'Dowd who bring actual heart to a script that occasionally lets them down.
  • Grief representation that doesn't shy away from how messy and un-linear the healing process actually is.
  • Nature as therapy vibes for anyone who finds solace in gardening or the stubborn persistence of local wildlife.
  • Dry humor peppered throughout helps cut through what could have been a relentlessly bleak 100 minutes.
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What to Watch For

  • The backstory involves the death of an infant (SIDS), which is the catalyst for everything. It's discussed frequently and is very emotionally taxing.
  • Chris O'Dowd's character is in a psychiatric hospital following a suicide attempt; the movie handles this with care, but it’s a heavy setting for younger viewers.
  • There is some mild profanity and a few scenes of McCarthy’s character getting physically aggressive with the bird (and the bird with her).

Conversation Starters

  • "Why do you think Lily is so obsessed with getting rid of the starling instead of just ignoring it?"
  • "Everyone in the movie grieves differently—Lilly works, Jack retreats. Is there a 'right' way to feel sad?"
  • "The vet-turned-psychologist mentions that starlings are 'survivors.' How does that apply to the people in the story?"
  • "Do you think the movie ended on a hopeful note, or just a realistic one?"

Deep Dive

The 'Sad Movie' Trap

There’s a specific genre of film that critics usually refer to as 'Oscar Bait,' and The Starling falls squarely into that trap. It has all the ingredients: a beloved comedic lead doing a 'serious' role, a tragic backstory involving a child, and a quirky animal metaphor. The problem is that it often feels like it's checking boxes rather than telling a lived-in story.

For parents, the biggest hurdle isn't the content—it's the tone. The movie deals with the aftermath of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). That is a heavy, heavy lift. If you are watching this with a teenager, be prepared for some very real conversations about mental health facilities and why a parent might struggle to function after a loss.

"It's a stubbornly shallow film, the kind that traffics in clichés about grief to such a degree that it almost plays like a parody." — Roger Ebert

On the plus side, the chemistry between McCarthy and O'Dowd is genuine. They feel like a real couple that has been through the wringer. If you have a kid who is interested in psychology or acting, there’s value here in discussing how the characters portray 'complicated grief.' Just don't expect a fun bird movie; this isn't Paulie or Fly Away Home.

What Parents Ask

Stills
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