Stars at Noon (2022) unfolds as a slow-burning romantic thriller set against the political unrest of Central America. The film follows Trish, an American journalist stranded in Nicaragua, whose life becomes entangled with a mysterious British businessman. Their connection is immediate yet complicated, shaped by uncertainty, danger, and the fragile trust between two people with nowhere else to turn.

The movie leans heavily into atmosphere, creating a sense of heat, tension, and suffocation that mirrors the characters’ emotional states. Claire Denis builds the story with deliberate pacing, letting the chemistry between the leads simmer while the surrounding political landscape threatens to collapse around them. This combination gives the film a dreamy yet unsettling tone.

Trish’s situation highlights themes of vulnerability and survival. Caught between corrupt authorities and shifting alliances, she must navigate a world where every choice carries risk. Her relationship with the businessman becomes both a refuge and a source of conflict, adding layers of intensity to their interactions.

Visually and musically, the film is rich and immersive. The cinematography captures the humidity and grit of its setting, while the score by Tindersticks adds an alluring, haunting quality that enhances the film’s emotional weight. Each scene feels carefully constructed to draw viewers into its hazy, tension-filled mood.