Red Rocket (2021): Simon Rex Shines as Ex-Porn Actor Falling from Grace (Porn Movies)

Sean Baker’s portrait of faded porn star Mikey Saber deals, among other things, with how far a man can fall from grace.

Simon Rex shines as Mikey, a magnificent fuckboi, charismatic until he’s cruel, sweet until he’s violent, a braggart who probably doesn’t even know what’s true anymore.

Falling on hard times after a lengthy run at the top of the XXX game, he returns to his desolate Texas hometown to try to reconcile with his estranged wife and start a new life.

But from grooming a teen to be the next big porn star to selling drugs to the wrong people, Mikey soon finds himself persona non grata to everyone around.

Baker’s sharp script and visually arresting direction and empathic portraiture makes viewers root for all of the characters, even as their intentions grow increasingly dark.