Under the Stars

Under the Stars pays tribute to America's remaining drive ins and the people who keep their screens alive. The film follows a handful of small town venues as they struggle to stay open amid aging facilities, rising maintenance costs, and changing movie habits. Through intimate interviews and observational footage, the documentary sketches a patchwork of communities that rally to protect a space where cinema doubles as a social gathering. Alexandre Aja lends his voice as the guiding narrator, tying together stories of seasonal openings, late night lineups, and the stubborn optimism that keeps these retro theaters standing. With a calm, unhurried pace, the film centers real individuals and their daily efforts, avoiding glossy spectacle in favor of honesty and memory.

Directed by Mathieu Pheng, the documentary is produced by Joachim Landau and Benjamin Hoffman. It premiered in 2022 as an original portrait of small town resilience, framed by the presence of Alexandre Aja who provides the narration throughout the film.

Box office data for Under the Stars is not publicly disclosed; the film circulated mainly through festivals and streaming rather than a wide theatrical run. As a result, no widely reported worldwide gross figures are available in public industry records.

There are no widely reported awards or nominations for Under the Stars. The film seems to have circulated in niche venues rather than major prize circuits. Its strength lies in its intimate portrait of community effort, not in industry accolades, so recognition has been modest if present anywhere truly today.

Reception focuses on the film's patient, affectionate look at small town life and the communal rituals that build a sense of place around drive-ins. Viewers may come away with a renewed appreciation for preserving local landmarks and the shared memories attached to cinema under the stars that linger after screenings.