American Honey Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Girl ditches her dumpster-diving life for a van full of party animals selling magazines and questionable decisions across America.

🍿 American Honey: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Star’s Escape and Joining the Crew

Star, a teenager living in a difficult home situation in Oklahoma, meets Jake, a member of a traveling magazine sales crew. Drawn to their free-spirited lifestyle, she leaves behind her responsibilities and joins them. This decision marks the beginning of her journey of self-discovery and escape from her previous life. She leaves her younger siblings behind with their neglectful mother, a decision that weighs heavily on her.

Life on the Road and Selling Magazines

The crew, led by Krystal, travels across the Midwest, selling magazine subscriptions door-to-door. Star learns the ropes from Jake, the top salesman, and quickly becomes entangled in their world of partying, bending the law, and navigating complex relationships. Selling magazines becomes secondary to the experiences and connections she forms.

Star and Jake’s Complicated Relationship

Star and Jake develop a romantic relationship, which is complicated by Krystal’s control over the crew and Jake’s history with other members. Their relationship is characterized by intense moments of connection and conflict, reflecting the instability and uncertainty of their lives. They navigate jealousy, betrayal, and the challenges of young love within the confines of their transient lifestyle.

Moral Crossroads and Exploitation

As the crew continues their journey, Star faces moral dilemmas and witnesses exploitation. She interacts with various people, some kind and some predatory, forcing her to confront the realities of their lifestyle and the choices they make to survive. This includes an incident where Star is paid for sexual favors, leading to conflict with Jake.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Star (Sasha Lane): A teenage runaway seeking freedom and adventure who joins a traveling magazine sales crew and experiences young love.
• Jake (Shia LaBeouf): The charming and experienced salesman who recruits Star and becomes entangled in a complex relationship with her.
• Krystal (Riley Keough): The tough and manipulative leader of the magazine sales crew who exploits the vulnerable youths.
• Pagan (Arielle Holmes): A member of the magazine sales crew and one of Star’s friends.
• Corey (McCaul Lombardi): A member of the magazine sales crew.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Krystal: “Will anyone miss you?” – Krystal asks Star this question during her ‘interview’ to join the magazine sales crew, highlighting the group’s transient and somewhat detached nature.
• Star: “I want real love.” – Star expresses her desire for genuine connection and affection amidst the superficial relationships and chaotic lifestyle of the crew.
• Jake: “We’re all just trying to get by, right?” – Jake attempts to justify their questionable sales tactics, reflecting the group’s struggle for survival and the compromises they make.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $3.5 million
• Domestic Gross: $663,246
• Worldwide Gross: $2,888,927

💥 American Honey Reviews

Personal Review

I was totally captivated by ‘American Honey’. The shaky camera work and raw performances made me feel like I was right there in the van with them. The scene where Star swims in the water at the end was so powerful; it felt like she was washing away all the bad stuff and starting over. It’s a long movie, but I never got bored.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of indie films and coming-of-age stories”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about marginalized youth and social issues”
  • “Those who appreciate realistic and character-driven narratives”
  • “Fans of Sasha Lane and Shia LaBeouf’s performances”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Sexual content and nudity”
  • “Brief violence”
  • “Mature themes”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “A vibrant and sprawling road movie that captures the restless spirit of youth with raw authenticity. Sasha Lane is a revelation.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “A lengthy but ultimately rewarding exploration of teenage angst and freedom. Shia LaBeouf delivers a memorable performance, and the film’s soundtrack is killer.
• IndieWire: “Andrea Arnold’s unflinching gaze captures the beauty and brutality of American life. ‘American Honey’ is a visceral and unforgettable experience.

Audience Reactions

Viewers loved the authentic portrayal of young, marginalized Americans.: The film’s realism and stunning visuals resonated with audiences.

The soundtrack was a major hit, perfectly capturing the movie’s mood.: The music made viewers feel like they were on the road trip themselves.

Overall Consensus: A visually stunning and emotionally resonant film that captures the spirit of youth and the search for belonging, though its length may test some viewers’ patience.

Awards

1. Cannes Film Festival (Jury Prize)- 2016

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Andrea Arnold discovered Sasha Lane, the lead actress, while she was on spring break in Florida.”
• “Many of the actors, aside from Shia LaBeouf and Riley Keough, were non-professional actors found by Arnold on the streets.”
• “The film’s soundtrack plays a significant role, featuring a mix of hip-hop and pop music that reflects the characters’ lives and emotions.”
• “The aspect ratio of 1.37:1 (almost square) was a deliberate artistic choice to create a more intimate and claustrophobic feel, mirroring the characters’ limited world.”

🖥️ How to Watch American Honey?

American Honey is currently available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed American Honey, you might like these similar films:

• Kids (1995): Depicts a raw and unfiltered look at the lives of marginalized youth, exploring themes of sexual exploration, drug use, and aimlessness.
• Nomadland (2020): Features a similar road-movie structure focusing on disenfranchised individuals navigating life on the margins of society.
• Spring Breakers (2012): Explores themes of rebellion, youthful excess, and the allure of a lawless lifestyle within the context of young people on a journey.

🛒 American Honey Related Products

• American Honey [Blu-ray]: Own the critically acclaimed film on Blu-ray with stunning visuals and immersive sound.
• American Honey: A Novel: Immerse yourself further into the story of Star and her journey. Discover new insight into the character’s thoughts.
• Official American Honey Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the iconic poster. Printed on heavy stock with fade-resistant inks.
• Van Life: Your Guide to Hitting the Road: Learn about the real-life van-dwelling subculture. Includes tips on budgeting, mechanics, travel routes and much more.

🎧 Soundtrack

American Honey features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “We Found Love” – performed by Rihanna
• “Bounce It” – performed by Juicy J

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

We Met Sasha Lane, the Breakout Star of ‘American Honey’

Ever wondered how a complete unknown landed the lead in a critically acclaimed movie? This interview with Sasha Lane is fascinating; she talks about being discovered on a beach and gives a real behind-the-scenes look at the filming process.

American Honey reviewed by Mark Kermode

Want to know if ‘American Honey’ is worth your time? Mark Kermode gives a thoughtful review, pointing out both the good and the bad. It’s a must-watch before deciding if you want to dive into this coming-of-age road trip!

‘American Honey’ Stars Dish on Their Laid-Back Shoot

The cast of ‘American Honey’ makes it sound like filming was basically a fun road trip with friends! Hear about how they were cast and get a peek at the relaxed vibe on set. Their genuine connection definitely shines through in the movie.

✨ Rate