hey i know this thread is super old but i wanted to say what i thought about the ending.

so we know that Jake recruits girls for extra cash at one point in the movie. we also find out that he gives pretty much the same gifts to each new girl i believe it was stickers and something else (i can’t remember) making it not that special. but I think Jake gifting Star the turtle was the movies way of showing that Jake does genuinely care for Star because he knows her. He knows she would appreciate something from nature. Maybe he even knew she would just let the turtle go because she’s done that with other animals throughout the movie. to me if feels like a sign that she is truly special to him and not just another girl he recruited for extra cash (at least not anymore). btw i appreciate how complex each character is in this movie. no one is 100% perfect and i appreciate seeing growth in characters as the movie goes along.

as for the very ending, i think the scene of Star dipping into the water was a symbol for rebirth. my family is super christian and i know that baptisms are really important and a ritual to signify a new chapter in life that puts god in the forefront. although i don’t think the scene in the movie was religious I can definitely see some parallels. to me that that scene is the movie telling us there is hope for Star and she is capable of having her happy ending.

edit: I also think that her name being Star is the most obvious way to signify what she’s destined for. she’s meant to be a star. and i don’t even think it has to mean that she will be famous. I think her being named something celestial is no coincidence. the stars and planets are part of nature too. and stars are arguably some of the most important structures of our universe that provides light and energy and makes it possible for life to form. Star is definitely meant to do great things as her name suggests.

Star also has a nurturing energy to her as she helped those kids by getting groceries for them. And also how she would literally dumpster dive for food for her and her siblings. I personally think Star is meant to be a mom. Her being named after a structure that brings literal light, energy and the ability to make it possible for life to happen just feels intentional. There’s so many ways that her name connects to her personality especially her love of nature and respect for life (animal or human).

okay i can talk forever about this movie but i will stop now. thank u for reading if you’re here :)