American Star (film)

American Star is a 2024 British thriller film directed by Gonzalo López-Gallego, written by Nacho Faerna, and produced by Ian McShane and Michael Elliott. The film stars McShane, Thomas Kretschmann, Nora Arnezeder, Adam Nagaitis, Fanny Ardant, and Oscar Coleman.

American Star was released in theaters and also digitally on 26 January 2024 in the United States by IFC Films, and in the United Kingdom on 23 February 2024 by Vertigo Releasing.

Plot
Wilson, an aging hitman who grows tired of his violent life, heads to Fuerteventura for a job. His target's absence leads him to a tranquil vacation, where he befriends Gloria, a bartender, and forms unexpected connections with the island's residents. As Wilson lets his guard down, the inevitable return to his profession disrupts the peaceful interlude.

Production
The film was produced by both Ian McShane and Michael Elliott. It is a production by UK outfits Tamariska and Emu Films in association with Madrid-based Aquí y Allí Films and Cayuga Ficción.

Principal photography took place on the Canary Islands.

On 12 December 2023, the trailer for American Star was released by IFC Films.

Release
American Star was screened in New York City on 18 January 2024. It was released in the United States on January 26, 2024. It is scheduled to be released in the United Kingdom on February 23, 2024.

Reception
Matt Zoller Seitz of RogerEbert.com rated the film 3 out of 4 stars, deeming it to be an "unusually intelligent and purposeful movie that doesn't say much, but is full of feeling".