#dear starboy

Tom lives a religious upbringing with a shitty stepdad after his real dad was shot. He believes that his dad was taken away because he wasn't holy enough and his new step dad does not do any better to not perpetuate that

Unfortunately he goes online and realizes he might be gay/bisexual and has a crisis over being a sin. He vents and finds a person who he really connects with online, who goes by the name "Starboy." Starboy is well known in these forums for one reason or another, and dubs Tom "Kitty boy" and Tom latches onto it.

To Tom’s surprise, Starboy adds him as a friend online, and the first message he asks is

 “Hi, Do you believe in the stars?” 

They talk for a while and communicate online publicly, and flirt on main. Followers make jokes about how they should just kiss already and make ship names for them like "Kittystar/Starkitty" or "Boyboy" (lol) 

Eventually Tom starts venting to "Starboy" and SB responds back. They talk and get close and goad on the followers. Starboy is more forward and playing up the flirts while Tom is nervous about it bc he's genuinely starting to catch feelings for this internet stranger who gave him basic human kindness.

they end up on call and Tom's feelings grow further. Tord has a striking look, light caramel hair with two horns protruding, a snaggle tooth, and heterochromic eyes, grey and red. He finds out Starboy's name is Tord and Tord likes talking with Tom. They talk every day. Tom feels bad that he's the only one venting and Tord asks if he could Vent too.

Tord vents to Tom about his looks. He’s strangely hyperfixated on how strange he looks. and Tom reassures Tord that he is really pretty and amazing and that he's helped Tom so much. Tord thanks him and casually implies they should meet up.

They do meet up at a place called “Starbank Mall” and they take lots of photos by the obligatory water fountain in the middle, before Tord falls in and flails about. Tom saves him and laughs about his inability to swim, which Tord gets weirdly pissy about. Tom reassures him that he wont drown, Tom will always be there to catch him. Tord smiles and they post the pics for followers to see, and the ship tags explode. Tom is embarrassed but Tord is not reacting any differently. In fact, Tord asks Tom out. Tom gladly accepts and is happy for the first time in forever.

They have to keep their relationship a secret from Tom's dad however, as he'd kill tom if he found out. Tom tells his friends at school about his newfound relationship with Tord but they are skeptical which makes Tom sad. Tord reassures him that they just don't understand.

Unfortunately a well-meaning but naive friend (maybe Matt??) tells Tom's parents about his concerning relationship and Tom's dad gets pissed that he's "Talking to a girl online" that he didn't know. Tom doesn't correct them but his parents take his phone in concern for his safety.

It’s around this time that Tom starts receiving letters about everything a “Secret Admirer” loves about him. The way he moves and speaks, the people he talks to, The love he has for his mom, and of course; his looks. These are strange, and they comment on things that a normal admirer wouldn't know. Tom is flattered but there is a sinking feeling of unease. He decides that these letters can’t be from Tord, they’ve barely been dating! Also these letters are just… too personal. It’s creepy… With nothing better to do, he studies the writing style, copying it so he can try and match it to any of his classmates or friends.

When he gets his phone back, Tord has gone manic. He's freaking out that they haven't talked in 3 days and that Tom must hate him, he's made 17 vague posts and has self harmed and threatened to khs. Tom immediately goes on damage control and frantically assures tord and makes sure he's not dead and cries and calls tord apologizing and that his phone was taken

Tord forgives him but says that he shouldn’t do that again.Tord has issues with abandonment after all and Tom relates.

Tom asks Tord about the letters, but Tord is clueless. Tom sighs in relief and drops the subject, still a little concerned but at least he knows it's not Tord. 

They call more and one day Tord says he has a surprise for Tom. He looks outside and hello neighbor! Tord is right next door. 

Tom is ecstatic wondering how he managed to do this! Tord cryptically says that he has his ways.

Tord ends up going to the same school tom goes to and finally meets his friends. Tom is a little upset at the friend who snitched but Tord says that it's ok it's what brought them closer after all!! Tom’s friends, Edd and Matt, hit it off with Tord. Its almost like he’s been apart of the group forever! However, Tom starts to get insecure when he feels almost outcasted in his friendgroup. He’s more of an introvert after all, and all of his friends are so outgoing. It almost seems like Tord is purposely pushing him out…

Tom loves hanging out with Tord but his friends still mean everything to him. He wants to ask them if he still matters to them, and they try and reassure Tom. Tord however, Suddenly goes radio silent on Tom’s end. He stops talking with tom and is only talking with Edd and Matt. Tom asks Tord if he did anything wrong and Tord, non-committally says that tom’s not giving him proper attention, so he’s just creating space.

Tom apologizes, begging tord not to leave him. Tord eventually forgives tom and to make it up to tord, Tom lets him spend the night at his place, something Tom usually wouldn't allow because of his dad.

Tord comes over and starts talking about the stars and how beautiful they are. He’s fascinated by them, speaking as if he was truly there in space once upon a time. Tom is enamored by Tord, who then turns to Tom to say how pretty he is and how nice his room and life are. Strangely, saying things that the constant letters that Tom is receiving are saying….

But as Tom is starting to connect the dots, Tord holds his face, looking into his eyes. Tom knows that he’s in love, but doesn't know what to do. Tord starts leaning in for a kiss when Tom's dad bursts in. He recognizes what’s going on and yells at Tom for being a sinner and (almost) kissing a boy.

Tom cries and defends Tord and tries to stand up to his father, but Tord is kicked out. The Father yells at Tord for corrupting his son and tells him that he looks like a freak, and that he will never be welcome in this house. The last thing Tom sees before his father slams the door is Tord’s face, and he looks completely blank.

Tom later sneaks over to Tord’s and apologizes for not standing up for him more but he's scared of his dad. Tom is being sent to pray the gay away camp. He doesn't wanna go or be forced to stop talking to Tord, and Tord doesn't want that either. Tord then hatches a plan to get Tom's step dad to get off his back forever. 

"Tom, your step dad sucks anyways! Think of it like we are the reparations for his sins! WE are the angels sent to enact God's will!"

Tom is shocked, he can't hurt his dad! Tord reassures him. They wont be hurting him, they are just going to get a little revenge for all the mean things he said to them. Long story short, the “harmless prank” is sabotaged and kills Tom’s stepdad. Tom is wracked with guilt, but Tord reassures him.

“Now you won’t be sent away! Look, your mom got his money and can take less hours at her job! She seems happier, and we can be happy together too!!”

Tom is rethinking everything as Tord is trying on some of Tom’s hoodies. He’s rereading the letters he’s receiving about his looks and his life. and looking at the happy texts from his friends in the group chat as they joke with Tord. Something just doesn’t feel right at all. He looks over to Tord’s house from his window and realizes that inside is completely barren. Untouched, cob-webs and stagnant.

Tom’s mom starts to coddle Tord. As she does, Tom sneaks out of his window to look at Tord’s room. Its empty. Its like no one actually lives here. All there seems to be is a desk, computer, papers and pens, and several pictures of Tom. Tom is now very freaked out. These are from way before they met… But one photo is different. 

The picture is taken from another person’s point of view. What is the picture of?

Tord.

Smiling and looking happily at the camera, as he holds the hand of the unknown person taking the picture. The picture is dated 3 years ago, with the name “Tord Shields” and the date on the picture.

Tom takes the picture and goes to the computer monitor and looks around. Tom looks on the old forums that he and “Starboy” would talk on, and looks at the private messages. Several messages were sent, similar to the ones that “Starboy” would send him. All to different people. Tom feels like he should feel upset, but all it does is make his stomach churn in fear. Especially as he gets to a message dated 3 years ago, from another account named “Starboy” 

“Let’s meet up.”

Tom, fearing his suspicions, makes a quick google search.

Tord Shields. A missing person’s report.

Last seen leaving his house to meet up with a person he met online

… 3 years ago.

Tom is fully freaked out now. Was this the real Tord? Was this person faking Tord’s identity? What is going on? Who is that boy in his house?

Tom, in a blind panic, runs back to his house, only to overhear a conversation between “Tord” and his mom. “Tord” tells Tom’s mom that he wants to join Tom’s family, that he thinks it's time they officially get together. “Tord” waxes poetic about how the stars have brought them together and that he would like Tom’s mom’s blessing for her son.

As he says this, Tom peers in and notices that Tord is wearing Tom’s clothes. And his hair is eerily styled the same way. And when Tord turns to the window, Tom notices his eyes are now the same color as his. Black. Not fully, but enough where Tom could see. 

Tom doesn’t stay around to find out his mother’s answer and starts to run. He runs to Starbank Mall, and breaks in, almost triggering the alarms. He attempts to hide somewhere, only for “Tord” to be there already, by the fountain. A huge fight escalates as Tom finally sees who “Starboy” truly is. Several alien-like limbs sprout from Starboy as Tom fights for his life.

Tom eventually gets the upper hand on Starboy, and pushes him into the fountain, jumping on top of him and strangling him in the water. Starboy eventually drowns and the limbs fade into stardust. All Tom is left with is the corpse in the water. Escaping the mall, he does accidentally trigger the alarm system and the cops are on their way.

Tom rushes to Starboy’s house and quickly thinks of something to tell the cops. Thinking about the letters he was sent, Tom takes his knowledge on the writing style and copies it to forge a suicide note detailing “Tord’s” anguish at Tom rejecting his proposal due to societal pressure. He runs to his mom in tears and hands her the letter. Unknowing that Tom is crying more out of relief than sadness, his mom comforts him. Tom reassures her that he’s fine. Tord is with the stars now. 

When questioned by the cops, Tom is afraid they found his finger prints, but they take the suicide note without hesitation. Tom is suspicious and despite it all, prays that the security cameras weren’t on that night.

The next day at school, Tom comes in and Edd and Matt comfort him, but he’s just happy to see them, and that they are safe from the strange being trying to replace him. On the news, there are reports about the missing boy “Tord Shields”’s corpse being found at Starbank mall. Reports show that he met a boy online and, saddened by the lack of acceptance from the town, committed suicide by drowning himself. Tom is confused, thats not the story he wrote… 

He refuses to question it and lets it go. He’s free now, and he’ll be himself very proudly, knowing that some alien creature wanted his face so bad, he couldn’t be that gross-looking!

The movie ends with a teen being tasked with looking over the footage from Starbank mall, only for the camera’s to glitch and the footage to be deleted. The teen jadedly gives up and clocks out for the day.

As he walks out, he goes onto his phone and opens some old forums, and notices a new message request. He hits “accept” and a message appears on his phone.

“Do you believe in the stars?”