A washed-up porn star returns to his small-town Texas roots after burning bridges all throughout Los Angeles, and begins plotting his path back to the big-time. A film by Sean Baker, starring Simon Rex, Suzanna Son, Bree Elrod, Brenda Deiss, Judy Hill, Brittney Rodriguez, and Ethan Darbone.

Decades of exile culminate with Mikey’s reluctant return to Texas City, a place he once vowed to leave behind forever. Now, battered by circumstance, Mikey (Simon Rex) finds himself on the doorstep of his estranged wife Lexi (Bree Elrod), who is living with her mother Lil (Brenda Deiss).

Caught off guard by Mikey’s unexpected arrival, Lexi is taken aback. Mikey pleads with Lexi to let him stay, claiming he was assaulted. Lexi threatens to call the police about Mikey’s trespassing, forcing him back outside. From a distance, they continue their conversation, shouting back and forth. Eventually, Lexi reluctantly agrees to let him stay temporarily. In exchange, Mikey promises to find a job, do chores, and pay rent.

As Mikey bicycles around town, searching for work, he encounters a recurring problem: a 17-year gap in his resume where he listed no employment. Every potential employer wants to know how he spent that time, forcing him to reveal the truth about his past as a porn star, “Mikey Saber,” in adult films. Unfortunately, this revelation leads to rejection from every employer.

Mikey finds himself with no other option but to approach Leondria (Judy Hill), the local drug dealer he used to deliver weed for as a teenager. Leondria is far from pleased to see him again, especially since he’s now living with Lexi. Despite her initial hesitation, Leondria relents, allowing Mikey to distribute drug within the town and find his own customers.

Everything’s looking up for Mikey. He’s made a new friend, his neighbor Lonnie (Ethan Darbone), who has a car and is happy to drive him around. It turns out Lonnie recognizes Mikey as Lexi’s boyfriend, the young woman who babysat him when he was little. Lonnie totally looks up to Mikey, especially for how he and Lexi bravely left Texas to chase their dreams in adult film industry in Los Angeles. Lonnie’s admiration for Mikey have quickly made them close friends.

Then, one fateful day, Mikey encounters Raylee (Suzanna Son), a Donut Hole employee whose radiant smile sets his heart aflutter like a first love. Blinded by her charm, he spins a web of elaborate lies, portraying himself as a Hollywood agent recently returned home to tend to his ailing mother, residing in a luxurious part of town. These fabricated stories, he believes, will be the key to winning Raylee’s heart. But beneath the surface, Mikey harbors a deeper motivation, seeing Raylee not just as a potential love interest, but as a golden ticket, a chance to reclaim his place in the adult film industry.

Red Rocket plunges us into the world of a faded porn star desperately clinging to his past fame. In an attempt to regain his glory, he sets his sights on recruiting a young woman into the adult industry. American filmmaker Sean Baker takes a bold step by casting non-professionals and first-time actors in key roles. This daring choice breathes life into the characters, imbuing them with an undeniable authenticity and charm. Simon Rex and Bree Elrod deliver captivating performances, even if their on-screen chemistry borders on the awkward. Yet, this very awkwardness perfectly complements their characters, creating moments of hilarious absurdity amidst serious dialogues and conversations. The film invites us to laugh, cringe, and ultimately, reflect on the allure and pitfalls of fame.

Simon Rex is the perfect casting choice for Mikey. His brief stint in pornography at the young age of 19, driven by a desire to support his girlfriend and her child, adds a layer of genuine understanding and depth to his performance. While waiting for his girlfriend’s audition, a casting director spotted Rex, leading him down a path of modeling for major brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Versace, and Levi’s. His journey to stardom reached its peak when MTV hired him as a VJ in 1995, catapulting him into the spotlight.

The film’s ingenious use of *NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye” is a highlight. The original version opens the film, setting a playful and romantic comedy tone. Then, Suzanna Son’s hauntingly beautiful rendition of the song captures the film’s emotional core perfectly, leaving a lasting impression.

Red Rocket premiered at Festival de Cannes on 14 June 2021, where it received a five minute standing ovation. The film received a limited theatrical release in the United States on 10 December, by A24. Blu-ray version of the film is scheduled to release in the U.S. on 15 March.