American Honey Ending Explained, Plot, Cast, and More
by Tamilchandran | Updated Apr 28, 2023
American Honey Film
"American Honey" is a 2016 independent film directed by Andrea Arnold. The movie follows a teenage girl named Star who joins a traveling magazine sales crew and embarks on a journey across the American Midwest. Along the way, she experiences the highs and lows of youth, love, and freedom while grappling with the realities of poverty, exploitation, and the American Dream.
The film received critical acclaim for its raw and immersive portrayal of contemporary youth culture, its use of non-professional actors and improvisational techniques, and its exploration of themes such as identity, class, and desire. American Honey competed for the Palme d'Or at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival and received the Jury Prize. Lane, LaBeouf, Keough, and other cast members received positive reviews for their performances.
The movie was released by A24 and Universal Pictures on September 30, 2016, in the U.S. and on October 14, 2016, in the UK. At the 70th BAFTAs, American Honey was nominated for Best British Film.
American Honey Ending Explained
One interpretation is that Star's decision to leave the sales crew and return to her hometown represents a rejection of the American Dream and a return to reality. Throughout the film, Star has been searching for a sense of belonging and purpose, and her relationship with the charismatic leader of the sales crew, Jake, has provided her with a temporary escape from her troubled past.
However, as the journey comes to an end, Star realizes that the lifestyle she has been living is unsustainable and that she needs to face the consequences of her actions. The ending of "American Honey" is open to interpretation, and its message will depend on the viewer's own experiences and perspectives. However, what is clear is that the film is a powerful exploration of the complexities and contradictions of contemporary American life and a testament to the resilience and creativity of youth culture.
Another interpretation is that Star's return home is a symbolic gesture of hope and redemption. Despite her hardships, Star has shown resilience and courage throughout the film, and her decision to leave the sales crew could represent a newfound sense of agency and self-awareness. By returning to her family and reconnecting with her roots, Star may be signaling a desire to heal and move forward.
American Honey Plot
"American Honey" is a coming-of-age film that follows a teenage girl named Star (Sasha Lane) as she joins a traveling magazine sales crew and embarks on a journey across the American Midwest. The sales crew is led by a charismatic young man named Jake (Shia LaBeouf) and includes a diverse group of misfits and outcasts. As they travel from town to town, selling magazines door-to-door and partying at night, Star and Jake develop a complicated relationship that blurs the lines between friendship and romance.
Star also forms connections with other members of the crew, including the tough-talking Krystal (Riley Keough) and the soft-spoken Pagan (Arielle Holmes). As the journey continues, Star begins to confront the harsh realities of life on the road, including poverty, exploitation, and drug addiction. She also struggles to reconcile her desire for freedom and adventure with her longing for stability and love.
The film builds towards a climactic sequence in which the crew participates in a competitive dance-off, which serves as a metaphor for their struggle to survive and find meaning in a world that often seems stacked against them. In the end, Star makes a decision that will determine her future and the course of her life, while the film leaves many questions unanswered, inviting the audience to reflect on the complexities of youth, love, and freedom in contemporary America.
American Honey Review
"American Honey" is a powerful and immersive film that offers a raw and unflinching look at contemporary youth culture and the struggles of young people in America. The film is a visceral and emotional experience that draws viewers in with its vivid cinematography, authentic performances, and evocative soundtrack. The film also benefits from director Andrea Arnold's bold and uncompromising vision, which infuses every frame with a sense of urgency and authenticity.
Arnold's use of hand-held cameras and naturalistic lighting gives the film a documentary-like quality that makes the audience feel like they are right there with the characters on their journey. At the same time, "American Honey" is not without its flaws. The film's running time of over two and a half hours can feel excessive at times, and some viewers may find the pacing slow or meandering. Additionally, the film's ambiguous ending may leave some viewers frustrated or unsatisfied.
Overall, however, "American Honey" is a film that demands to be seen and experienced. It is a poignant and powerful exploration of youth, love, and freedom in contemporary America and a testament to the resilience and creativity of young people who continue to dream and strive despite the odds stacked against them.
American Honey Cast
Cast
Characters
Sasha Lane
Star
Shia LaBeouf
Jake
Riley Keough
Krystal
Arielle Holmes
Pagan
McCaul Lombardi
Corey
Crystal B. Ice
Katness
Chad McKenzie Cox
Billy
Garry Howell
Austin
Kenneth Kory Tucker
Sean
Raymond Coalson
JJ
Isaiah Stone
Kalium
Dakota Powers
Runt
Shawna Rae Moseley
Shunta
Christopher David Wright
Riley
Verronikah Ezell
QT
Will Patton
Backseat Cowboy
Bruce Gregor
Cattle Truck Driver
Johnny Pierce II
Nathan
Laura Kirk
Laura
Summer Hunsaker
Kelsey
Brody Hunsaker
Rubin
Chasity Hunsaker
Misty
American Honey Where to Watch?
American Honey can currently be viewed on various streaming platforms, including fuboTV, Showtime, and Paramount+. The film is also available for rental or purchase on Amazon Instant Video, Vudu, Google Play, and iTunes. Some viewers may also be able to watch American Honey for free on Pluto or Plex, although availability may vary depending on their location. The movie is frequently aired on HBO via cable/satellite providers, but it is not currently available on Netflix.
It is important to note that the availability of the film may differ depending on the country in which it is being viewed. A24 purchased the domestic distribution rights to the movie in January 2016, while Universal Pictures and Focus Features bought the rights for the foreign market in May 2016. On May 15, 2016, American Honey had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, where it was chosen to contend for the Palme d'Or. On September 8, 2016, the film was also shown at the Toronto International Film Festival.
On October 7, 2016, it was shown at Fantastic Fest and the BFI London Film Festival. American Honey first appeared in theatres in the United States on September 30, 2016, and then on October 14 in the United Kingdom.
American Honey Ending Explained - FAQs
If there is a message in American Honey, it is that goals are never truly achievable.
Star takes off her bag after seeing she has stepped into the bloody field next to the road. Towards the end of the scene, the bag reappears in its original location.
A teenage girl is followed in the coming-of-age movie "American Honey" as she joins a traveling magazine sales crew and travels across the American Midwest, where she encounters the harsh realities of life on the road and struggles to balance her desire for freedom and adventure with her longing for stability and love.
Although the stories published in The New York Times and The Atlantic are much darker than what the movie portrays, real-life magazine crew stories served as the inspiration for American Honey.
Full-frontal nudity, erotica, and other adult-oriented elements were all included in the film.