The most underrated entry in John Carpenter's oeuvre. After his spacecraft is shot down over Wisconsin, an alien (Jeff Bridges) arrives at the remote cabin of a distraught young widow, Jenny Hayden (Karen Allen), and clones itself into the form of her recently deceased husband. The alien coerces the shell-shocked Jenny to drive him to a pickup point hundreds of miles away, explaining that if he doesn't meet his mothership in three days, he'll die. Hot on their trail are government agents, intent on seizing him, dead or alive. En route, Jenny turns from captive to captivated as the alien re-awakens her humanity.

Starman
Director: John Carpenter
Running time: 1h 55m
Year: 1984
Rated: PG

Concession opens and music starts at 7:00pm

Film starts at 8:30pm

Preceded by West Coast premiere of Morgan Abele's short film Sounds of Glass

Admission to Deckchair Cinema is by donation, courtesy of BMO Financial Group, and includes popcorn as well as access to the Gallery’s summer exhibition Star Witnesses, a cosmic journey through art and history.

Reserve a picnic table by donating in advance

View the full Deckchair Cinema 2025 lineup here

About Sounds of Glass
Set against the backdrop of the North Shore, Sounds of Glass stars Zoe Wiesenthal as Enna, who works in a unique store where she sells bottled sounds. Her customers come seeking to reconnect with their past through the power of auditory memory. But when a series of unusual clients begins to trigger her own buried emotions, Enna is forced to confront a painful memory she’s long tried to forget.

Sounds of Glass will be featured on CBC’s Short Film Face Off this August. After the final episode airs in early September, audiences will have the chance to vote for their favourite film. The winner will receive funding to support their next project.

Sounds of Glass had its premier at Montreal's Fantasia International Film Festival.

Sounds of Glass
Dir: Morgan Abele
Running time: 10 min
Year: 2025

About Deckchair Cinema
You are invited to enjoy classic films under the stars on Cates Deck in front of the Gallery. Now in its fourth year, Deckchair Cinema treats audiences to a summer of al fresco film screenings. Hosted for nine Thursdays beginning July 3, the screenings commence at sunset, and will be complemented by music and entertainment leading up to curtain time. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early and make themselves comfortable by bringing their own blankets or low chairs. A concession stand will feature drinks from Strathcona Beer Company.