Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Feel-good fairy tale romcom has some language, innuendo.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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A Cinderella Story: Starstruck
What's the Story?
In A CINDERELLA STORY: STARSTRUCK, Finley Tremaine (Bailee Madison) is forced by her cruel stepmother (April Telek) to do chores all day, serve her step-siblings, and sleep in the barn of her childhood ranch in rural Idaho. Still, she bonds with her farm animals and lets her imagination run free while she works, envisioning herself as the movie star she's always wanted to be. One day, her stepsister Saffron (Lillian Doucet-Roche) announces that a film crew is coming to shoot in their town and needs to hire extras. Finley and Saffron both plan to try out, while stepbrother Kale (Richard Harmon) aims to sell himself as a manager to lead actor Jackson Stone (Michael Evans Behling). Finley's audition goes horribly awry when her pig interrupts, though the havoc that ensues lets her meet Jackson, who's immediately enamored of the farm girl. Finley decides she can't give up on her dreams and comes back to audition dressed as a man named Huck, landing a lead role opposite Jackson.
Is It Any Good?
Cinderella meets A Cowgirl's Tale meets Tootsie in this feel-good latest installment in the fairy tale-inspired film franchise. A Cinderella Story: Starstruck is goofy and it knows it, from over-the-top hoedown dances to the herb-named scheming step-relatives to the reciting of Full House theme song lyrics as sentimental monologue. There's some gentle mocking of the entertainment industry and film business types in the storyline, as well as a faithful pig named Jon Ham.
If you let yourself go with it, the formula works just fine, though Finley's musical numbers are inconsistently sprinkled throughout the movie. Some of the humor rooted in characters dressing in clothing typically associated with another gender also feels outdated, like the princess concept itself. And Huck's surprise reveal on camera as Finley is straight out of Tootsie -- with none of the '80s angst and all of the Cinderella Story coziness. The happy ending is expected, if not required, but it's also a little hard to believe. Madison is funny, confident, and girl-next-door cute in a very physical role. She ably follows in the footsteps here of past Cinderella Story stars like Hilary Duff, Selena Gomez, and Lucy Hale.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about which aspects of the classic fairy tale A Cinderella Story: Starstruck uses, and which it doesn't. Have you seen other films inspired by fairy tales?
Finley maintains her optimism and cheer despite dire circumstances. How does this attitude help her?
What genre would you classify this film as, and why?
How do you feel about the fact that the film finds humor in characters dressing in clothing typically associated with another gender?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : July 13, 2021
- Cast : Bailee Madison , Michael Evans Behling , April Telek
- Director : Michelle Johnston
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Fantasy ( Fairy Tales ) , Friendship , Animals
- Run time : 96 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some language and suggestive material
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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