Starfish

Tara’s journey in Starfish is about healing from a deeply troubled past and forging her own path. The ending reveals that her biological father is not the man she believed him to be; instead, it’s Arlo, the musician she fell in love with in Goa, who was once Kailash. This truth, confirmed by Leslie, devastates Tara at first, but it also gives her crucial insight into her mother’s complex emotions and decisions. Arlo admits he never met Sukanya and provides evidence that he was elsewhere when she was in Goa, suggesting that he might have fabricated parts of his story to protect her or himself. The revelation that Arlo’s identity might be false hints that he could have hidden the real truth to safeguard Tara from pain. Throughout the film, Tara struggles with guilt, love, and her quest for understanding her identity, which culminates in her choosing to confront her feelings and seek the truth from Arlo.

In the final moments, Tara declines to stay with the man her family selected for her, Aman, and instead follows her heart. She reunites with Neil, the man she truly loves, and they begin a new life together with their child. The closing scenes symbolize her breaking free from her mother’s tragic pattern—her mother’s unresolved guilt and blame—by opting for authenticity and happiness. Tara’s transformation mirrors the resilience of a starfish, capable of healing wounds and becoming whole again. She opens a pickling store inspired by her grandmother, symbolizing her acceptance of her roots and her newfound strength to start fresh. The ending suggests that honesty, love, and self-acceptance are the true keys to healing and happiness, and that sometimes, uncovering painful truths is necessary to move forward. Tara’s decision to embrace her love and her new beginning ultimately signifies her victory over her past and her reclaiming her right to live authentically.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:59