🎬𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐨𝐧 (𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟎)

Jackie Kirk (Sarah Stouffer), a former child actress famous for her role in the sci-fi TV series Neptune 26, enrolls at Bloomington University in an attempt to escape the pressures of Hollywood and establish her own identity. Wanting a fresh start, she hopes to experience a normal college life, free from the expectations that come with being a former child star. However, fitting in proves difficult, as her peers either idolize her or remain distant, making her feel out of place. Amongst this struggle, she becomes intrigued by Catherine Stark (Allison McAtee), a confident and alluring psychology professor with a reputation for engaging in relationships with female students. Catherine’s intelligence and self-assured demeanor captivate Jackie, who is drawn to the professor’s mysterious and authoritative presence. What begins as intellectual admiration soon evolves into flirtation, and despite the risks involved, Jackie finds herself falling for Catherine’s charm.

Their relationship intensifies quickly, with Catherine guiding Jackie into a world of passion and emotional complexity she has never encountered before. Catherine, experienced and in control, knows how to handle the delicate balance between seduction and distance, keeping Jackie intrigued but never entirely reassured. Jackie, who is new to such a relationship dynamic, becomes enamored, willingly prioritizing her time with Catherine over her studies and social life. The secrecy of their affair adds an element of thrill, but as Jackie becomes more emotionally invested, cracks start to form. Catherine’s reluctance to fully commit begins to frustrate Jackie, who craves a deeper emotional connection. Meanwhile, external pressures mount as Jackie’s mother and former agent push her to consider returning to acting, reminding her that she still has a future in Hollywood if she chooses to reclaim it. Torn between the comfort she finds in Catherine and the uncertainty of her future, Jackie struggles to define what she truly wants.

As their relationship progresses, Jackie starts noticing Catherine’s emotional detachment more clearly. While Jackie is all in, Catherine remains cautious, unwilling to let Jackie get too close. Their once passionate romance begins to feel one-sided, with Jackie constantly seeking validation while Catherine maintains her enigmatic distance. Rumors about Catherine’s past relationships with students add further strain, making Jackie question whether she is just another fleeting affair. The realization that Catherine has had similar entanglements before shakes Jackie’s confidence, making her doubt the uniqueness of their bond. At the same time, Jackie’s dissatisfaction with her stagnant college life grows, making her reconsider her initial decision to leave acting behind. She begins to wonder if Bloomington was ever the right place for her, or if she had simply been running away from her old life without a real plan for the future.

The turning point comes when Jackie receives an offer to return to acting, presenting her with a choice that forces her to reassess her priorities. While she once believed she wanted to leave Hollywood, her time at Bloomington and her experiences with Catherine have made her realize that she does not want to lose control of her own narrative. She sees Catherine’s unwillingness to fight for their relationship as a sign that she needs to move on. Jackie finally understands that no matter how much she cares for Catherine, the relationship is ultimately unequal, built on passion but lacking true stability. This realization leads her to make the painful decision to leave both Catherine and Bloomington behind, choosing to embrace the uncertainty of her career rather than remain in a relationship that feels increasingly one-sided. Catherine, true to form, does not beg her to stay, further confirming Jackie’s belief that the relationship was never meant to last.

As Jackie departs for Los Angeles, the film ends on an ambiguous note, leaving the audience to question whether she has made the right decision. There is no clear resolution, no dramatic closure—just the reality of moving forward after an experience that was both meaningful and painful. Jackie has changed, gaining insight into love, power dynamics, and the sacrifices required to pursue one’s ambitions. Bloomington ultimately explores themes of self-discovery, fleeting romance, and the struggles of navigating an imbalanced relationship. It challenges conventional notions of love and success, leaving viewers reflecting on the choices people make in the search for fulfillment. Whether Jackie’s decision leads her to happiness or regret remains unknown, but what is clear is that she has reclaimed her agency, stepping into the future on her own terms.