The Sun Is Also a Star (2019) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The movie takes place in New York City, a vibrant urban metropolis known for iconic locations like Times Square, Central Park, and the Statue of Liberty. The story unfolds across various neighborhoods in the city, using the dynamic energy of NYC as a backdrop to the characters' emotional journey.

• new york city
• setting
• locations
• nyc
• urban

The film is set in contemporary modern times, depicting current-day New York City. The story follows young characters dealing with present-day issues like immigration, love, and personal aspirations in a realistic urban environment.

• contemporary
• modern
• time period
• present day

The movie explores three major themes: love, fate, and immigration. Love serves as the transformative force between the two main characters. Fate examines whether serendipity brings people together for a reason. Immigration portrays the emotional struggles families face with deportation and the pursuit of a better life.

• themes
• love
• fate
• immigration
• meaning

Natasha Kingsley is a pragmatic and scientific-minded teenager portrayed by Yara Shahidi. She faces a race against time to save her family's future due to immigration issues and deportation threats. Her character is defined by resilience, intelligence, and an internal struggle between hope and harsh reality.

• natasha
• natasha kingsley
• character
• yara shahidi

Daniel Bae is an optimistic and romantic young man portrayed by Charles Melton, preparing for a critical medical school interview. He embodies hopeful idealism and believes strongly in destiny and love at first sight. His chance encounter with Natasha leads him to reevaluate his beliefs about fate.

• daniel
• daniel bae
• character
• charles melton

The immigration theme portrays Natasha's family's struggle with the threat of deportation and the emotional toll it takes. The film raises awareness about the challenges immigrants face while seeking a better life and navigating legal barriers in the United States, showing the human cost of immigration policies.

• immigration
• deportation
• immigrant families
• legal barriers

The film contrasts Natasha's scientific skepticism about fate with Daniel's romantic belief in destiny. Their meeting under seemingly destined circumstances becomes a vehicle for exploring whether life brings people together for a reason, or if connections are merely random coincidences.

• fate
• serendipity
• destiny
• chance
• randomness

Jeremy Martinez is an experienced attorney played by John Leguizamo who represents Natasha in her immigration case. He becomes an unexpected pivot in her story, adding depth as he navigates his own challenges while helping her. His character embodies compassion and commitment to helping those in need.

• jeremy martinez
• attorney
• lawyer
• john leguizamo

The film has a bittersweet tone, blending the hopeful romantic connection between Daniel and Natasha against the bleak reality of her family's deportation threat. The emotional weight is medium due to the serious immigration theme, creating a balance between romantic optimism and somber stakes.

• tone
• bittersweet
• emotional
• mood

The film showcases love as a transformative power that can form deep emotional connections within a short time. It emphasizes cherishing precious moments with those we care about, even when facing overwhelming obstacles. The story suggests love can transcend circumstances but also acknowledges the pain of separation.

• love
• romance
• connection
• relationships

The entire central relationship develops within a compressed 24-hour period, creating a sense of urgency and intensifying the emotional stakes. This fast pacing elevates the intensity from low to medium, reflecting the characters' desperate need to seize life's precious moments before it's too late.

• 24 hours
• timeline
• pacing
• urgency
• one day