Red Rocket

With Red Rocket, writer/director Sean Baker (The Florida Project) undermines yet another noble exploration of lives on society’s fringe through amateurish performances and inane plot twists.

Though Simon Rex gives a wholly committed turn as disgraced porn star Mikey, the character is so caustic and one-note that it takes significant determination to power through his humbling return to Texas City.

Nevertheless, Baker continues to improve as a technician and there’s some sick intrigue in Mikey’s recruitment of soon-to-be-legal Strawberry (Suzanna Son) as a business partner, but the lackadaisical supporting cast and laughably random narrative turns with major consequences negate these minute gains.

Grade: C-minus. Rated R. Now playing at Grail Moviehouse

(Photo: A24)