The audacious new film from writer-director Sean Baker (THE FLORIDA PROJECT, TANGERINE), starring Simon Rex in a magnetic, live-wire performance, RED ROCKET is a darkly funny and humane portrait of a uniquely American hustler and a hometown that barely tolerates him.

Finding himself down and out in Los Angeles, ex-porn star Mikey Saber (Rex) decides to crawl back to his hometown of Texas City, Texas, where his estranged wife and mother-in-law are living. Just as this dysfunctional family seems to be making things work, Mikey meets a young woman named Strawberry working the cash register at a local doughnut shop. With Suzanna Son, Bree Elrod.

Writer-director Sean Baker will be joining us live via Skype following the screening of RED ROCKET on Thursday, February 24. See details below.

“I miss quieter movies with their slow-build character studies. Watching director Sean Baker’s “Red Rocket,” a portrait of fictional aging porn actor Mikey Saber (Simon Rex), was a reminder of how great those can be.” (Buzzfeed)

“A movie that is outrageously fun, savagely smart, brightly satirical, and ultimately haunting.” (Mashable)

“This is an admirable work centering on a man who has likely never done an admirable thing in his entire rotten life.” (Chicago Sun-Times)

“[A]deliriously funny and deviously satirical new comedy about a very specific, finely sketched specimen of parasitic American hustler.” (AV Club)

Thursday, February 24 Featuring Sean Baker Q&A!
Doors 6:00 pm | Start time 6:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Single Film advance tickets $13 HERE | $13 at the door

Make it a double feature with Sean Baker’s 2012 film STARLET for one sweet price! Sean will be joining us in-between films (live via the interwebs) to talk about his work, and to answer your questions.

STARLET
9:20 pm *Apx start time. The Q&A will be in-between films.
Double bill tickets $15 HERE | $15 at the door

*Minors permitted. Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service.
*Rio Theatre Groupons and passes OK for any single film screening only. Please redeem at the box office.
*If you are looking to redeem your tickets to either a canceled Rio Theatre screening or a Rio Theatre gift certificate, please email <[email protected]> with info including your name, canceled receipt number, gift certificate info, what you are wanting to see and when, and we can make the switch for you in advance. Alternately, you can bring this information with you to the venue, and we will do our best to help you at the box office.

In accordance with the Province of British Columbia’s current PHO from the Ministry of Health, all eligible patrons must present their proof of vaccine status for entry. Masks are required to be worn by all patrons when not seated. No exceptions.

RED ROCKET (Sean Baker, 2021 / 130 mins / 18A) Mikey Saber — charismatic con man and washed-up porn star — plots his return to the big time from small-town Texas in this story of an American hustler and a hometown that barely tolerates him.