Cast: Maja Bons, Bea Brocks, Verena Altenberger Reviewed by Matthew Morlai Kamara
But this life was never truly hers. From a young age she has been pushed to go to extremes just to stay popular, facing relentless pressures placed on her by her own family. Being an influencer is the family business and Luca is their star. When her parents share plans to expand the family, everything shifts. She has always been their one and only Babystar. Now she must wonder if she will be replaced. Is her value tied only to likes and sponsorships? Could she fade away as fast as a story that vanishes at midnight?
Premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival 2025, the film is now released here in the UK. The filmmaking style feels deliberately cold with certain scenes framed like we are looking through surveillance cameras. Definitely a real Big Brother view from high angles and doorways, keeping us at a distance.
Yet there is one lovely moment during the film, when we hear Unwritten, the massive hit from Natasha Bedingfield sang beautifully by one of the cast in a scene which gave me sudden goosebumps. I recognised it as one of my favourite songs on my music playlist. It’s a song which tends to carry deep personal meanings to anyone who listen to it.
Maja Bons delivers a humdinger of a performance. Certain of her scenes however may trigger uncomfortable reactions for anyone in a similar situation in real life. Her parents keep everything in action stations mode, always primed and ready to keep the show going no matter what. They are not unpleasant people. They’ve just lost sight of where the brand ends and family life begins. Getting that life balance can be difficult, but unfortunately you have to make some sacrifices to be successful.
Social media can be mind blowing when content goes viral. Yet it can also feel overwhelming. There are times when there is simply too much going on. You end up thinking whether it is truly worth all the dedicated energy you pour into it.
Hard work does not always pay off the way we hope. Babystar lays that reality bare and it is essential viewing. It does not offer easy answers but it asks the questions we all need to ask and face up to.
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