A poignant yet uplifting story about the strange reality of contemporary America.

Six-year-old Moonee (Brooklynn Prince) grows up in the shadow of Disney World, surrounded by highways and colorful buildings. Together with her rebellious mother Halley (Bria Vinaite), she lives in budget motel ‘The Magic Castle’, where Halley tries to survive from week to week. Motel manager Bobby, portrayed by Willem Dafoe, keeps an eye out for the two and hides a deep compassion behind his strict exterior.

Although circumstances could easily discourage Moonee in having a nice childhood, she turns every day into a great adventure. She constantly tests the boundaries of her surroundings with her friends and gets into mischief, while her mother has to go further beyond her limits in her own way to keep a roof over Moonee’s head.

Sean Baker captures an honest portrait of America that feels more uplifting than gloomy despite all of its harshness. With strong acting from Prince, Vinaite and Dafoe and a colorful cinematography reminiscent of David Hockney. A refreshing look at life and survival in contemporary America, a perspective that seems all the more important today.

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