Starbright Finally Sees the Light of Day After Nearly a Decade
The modern-day fantasy film Starbright, originally filmed in 2017, has at last premiered after a prolonged and challenging journey to completion. This project marks a significant reunion between director Francesco Lucente and Calgary-based actor Tom Carey, who previously collaborated on the acclaimed 2007 drama Badland.
A Memorable First Day on Set
Tom Carey vividly recalls his initial day on the Starbright set in Oklahoma back in 2017, describing it as an early indicator of the film's substantial scale. "We got to Oklahoma, and I met John and Gbenga, and our first day on set was this big train sequence with a police van," says Carey in an interview from his Calgary home. "We were shooting on a railroad track, and we came around the corner in our van, and I had never seen a crew this big. It was like 'Oh my gosh, we are shooting a huge movie.'"
Despite the excitement, Carey acknowledges the production faced significant hurdles. "It was a difficult shoot for so many reasons. Behind the scenes, I'm not really privy to all that was going on, but I know it was hard to get things done. It was a hard film to complete," he adds.
Plot and Cast Details
In Starbright, Carey portrays Martin, a ruthless yet conflicted criminal who is part of a trio of antagonists pursuing a small-town American teenager named Aisling, played by Alexandra Dowling of Game of Thrones and The Musketeers fame. The chase ensues after Aisling encounters a mysterious being named Raphael, portrayed by John Rhys-Davis from Lord of the Rings and Indiana Jones. Raphael is the human embodiment of a falling star that Aisling had wished upon.
Martin and his accomplices, Nick and Peter—played by British actor John Westley and Gbenga Akinnagbe from The Wire—recognize the value in Raphael's powers. They force Aisling and Raphael to flee from the farm where she lives with her grandparents, roles filled by Ted Levine from The Silence of the Lambs and Emmy-nominated Becky Ann Baker from Freaks and Geeks.
Carey's Extensive Career and Connection to the Project
A veteran actor and acting coach who has built his career in Alberta, Tom Carey has an impressive portfolio that includes dozens of independent films and television projects. He has also been involved in major productions such as Fargo, Under the Banner of Heaven, and Billy the Kid. Notably, Carey was the first character killed in the 2011 pilot of the AMC western series Hell on Wheels, an episode that also featured his future Starbright co-star Ted Levine as the primary antagonist.
More recently, Carey played Jennifer Lawrence's therapist in the 2025 film Die My Love and has a recurring role as a villain in the CBC drama Heartland. His reunion with director Francesco Lucente for Starbright was a meaningful one, as Lucente remembered Carey from their work on Badland, which was shot in Fort Macleod, where Lucente spent part of his childhood.
Production Challenges and Release Details
The film's completion and release were significantly delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and other undisclosed factors, leading Carey to fear it might never be released. "While difficult, Carey says he knew he was helping make something special from the first day on the Starbright set. But that was almost a decade ago," he reflects.
Starbright was filmed across multiple locations, including Oklahoma, Louisiana, Italy, and briefly in downtown Calgary, contributing to its unusually long gestation period. Carey first viewed a test screening at a university in Colorado several years ago. The film recently had its Canadian premiere at The Empress Theatre in Fort Macleod and is scheduled to open at Calgary's Country Hills Landmark Cinemas on March 28. Additionally, it will become available on various streaming services starting March 31.
This release marks a triumphant conclusion to a project that, despite its challenges, has finally reached audiences, showcasing the dedication of its cast and crew over nearly a decade.
