A Cinderella Story: Starstruck

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TheMovieSearch R A Cinderella Story: Starstruck (2021) is, unfortunately, one of the weakest entries in the long-running Cinderella Story franchise. While previous installments have at least managed to find some charm through strong leads or catchy music, this one struggles to find its footing from the very first scene. The film feels forced, uninspired, and badly miscast — especially when it comes to the lead role. Bailee Madison stars as Finley Tremaine, a small-town farm girl with dreams of becoming an actress. When a Hollywood film crew arrives in her rural town, Finley sneaks onto the set in disguise, only to catch the attention of movie star Jackson Stone (Michael Evans Behling). What follows is a half-hearted attempt at a modern fairy tale filled with weak dialogue, predictable tropes, and a painfully uneven tone. Madison, who has proven herself as a capable actress in other projects, simply does not fit the Cinderella archetype here. She lacks the effortless grace, charm, and emotional nuance that the character needs to carry a story like this. Her performance feels awkward and unconvincing, and her chemistry with Behling never truly takes off. Instead of rooting for her transformation or romance, the audience is left wondering how she was ever cast in this role to begin with. The film’s biggest problem, however, goes beyond casting. The writing is shallow and unimaginative, recycling every cliché from the earlier Cinderella Story films without adding anything new. The jokes rarely land, the pacing drags, and the dialogue sounds more like something from a children’s sitcom than a teen romantic comedy. Even the emotional moments feel hollow — as if the movie is going through the motions of a fairy tale without ever believing in it. Visually, the movie is serviceable but bland. The farm setting could have been a refreshing backdrop for a modern Cinderella twist, but instead, it’s shot in a way that feels flat and lifeless. The editing doesn’t help either — scenes transition awkwardly, and the flow of the story feels choppy, almost like a made-for-TV production rather than a continuation of a once-beloved series. Michael Evans Behling does his best with the material, bringing a bit of charm and charisma to his role as the movie star, but even he can’t save the film from its lack of substance. The chemistry between the two leads is minimal, and their romance never feels earned. By the time the credits roll, A Cinderella Story: Starstruck leaves you with little more than frustration. It’s an uninspired, poorly cast, and carelessly written addition to a franchise that once had heart. Instead of rekindling the magic, this film serves as a reminder of how far the series has fallen. Simply put, this version is a complete misfire — the wrong actress in the wrong role, trapped in a movie that never should’ve made it past the first draft. Rated 0.5/5 Stars •  Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 10/16/25 Full Review Audience Member This is an entirely new take on a classic. I'm not quite sure how I feel about it. Love several actors in this and it was different than your typical Cinderella story but didn't like all the changes. Replacing the fairy godmother with a pig was a little too much for me but considering the tone of the entire movie, it fit. Loved that instead of having two stepsisters, it was a stepsister and stepbrother. Interesting that the story was set around a movie production shooting on a farm instead of your typical ball or fancy party. As a fan of Michael Evans Behling from All American, I was impressed by his authentic sounding southern accent and as always, he delivered on his acting. Bailee Madison was adorable playing her three characters. And Richard Harmon, playing a totally different character than Murphy from The 100, nailed is role. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/13/23 Full Review Read all reviews

A Cinderella Story: Starstruck

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