A24 Releases Trailer for Sean Baker's 'Red Rocket' With Simon Rex

A24 Releases Trailer for Sean Baker's 'Red Rocket' With Simon Rex

LOS ANGELES — Distributor A24 has released a trailer for director Sean Baker's "Red Rocket," described as a comedic drama about a washed-up porn star, played by Simon Rex, who returns to his small Texas hometown.

Baker is known for "The Florida Project," which earned an Oscar nomination for Willem Dafoe, and acclaimed indie drama "Tangerine," which was filmed entirely with three iPhone 5s smartphones.

It's not Baker's first time exploring the fringes of adult. In 2012, he released the indie drama "Starlet," which follows an unlikely friendship that develops between an elderly widow and an aimless porn starlet. Baker and co-writer Chris Bergoch spoke to XBIZ about the film's adult-biz cameos in April 2012.

"Red Rocket," co-written by Bergoch, earned raves following its debut at the Cannes Film Festival. 

"Freewheeling and kissed by the magic hour light like Baker's previous movies, 'Red Rocket' is among the filmmaker's best works," wrote Tomris Laffly for RogerEbert.com.

"Building off the scrappy beauty of 'Tangerine' and 'The Florida Project,' Baker again trains his sights on a vivid milieu and a fascinatingly singular character," said Tim Grierson for Screen International.

"Like Baker’s previous films, this one deals with a very specific sub-culture that is used to the max to inform the often wayward characters. A highlight of the Cannes Film Festival 2021 competition, this wayward and raunchy outing will, like Baker’s previous work, attract a following with a taste for something fresh and different," wrote Todd McCarthy for Deadline Hollywood. "As with its predecessors, this one feels at once carefully planned dramatically and yet quite open to what the actors bring to their scenes, which is considerable. In short, it could scarcely feel more alive."

As XBIZ has reported, the casting of Rex is a meta nod to pop culture. In the early '90s, several years before he shot to mainstream fame as an MTV VJ, model, actor and comedic rapper, Rex — under the name "Sebastian" — shot two solo masturbation scenes and posed nude for Brad Posey's boutique studio Club 1821. The scant Club 1821 footage was repackaged continually for more than a decade.

Rex himself eventually learned to poke fun at the experience, telling an interviewer in 2014: "I guess that's why I became a dirty rapper and fuckin' comedic actor. Because after you do that, you're fearless... I got no skeletons in my closet now."

"Red Rocket" is set for release on December 3.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Chloe Amour: Recharged, Refocused, and Ready for Real Love

These days, getting ahold of Chloe Amour on the weekend can be tough. She might ditch her phone, as was the case on a recent weekend while celebrating her birthday with family at Disneyland, riding the rides and taking in some sun.

Isabella De Laa, Cherry Candle Star in Latest From MixedX

Isabella De Laa and Cherry Candle star in the latest release from MixedX, titled “Between Us.”

Tony Sting, Adira Allure & Dominic Pacifico Headline Latest From BiPhoria

Tony Sting, Adira Allure, and Dominic Pacifico star in the latest release from BiPhoria.

Proxy Paige, Wolf King Release 'I Kissed a Trans and I Liked It'

Evil Angel has released its latest title, “I Kissed a Trans and I Liked It,” co-directed by Proxy Paige and Wolf King.

Elly Clutch Stars in Latest From Brazzers

2024 XMAs Female Clip Creator of the Year Elly Clutch stars with Ricky Johnson in the latest release from Brazzers, titled "Elly’s Evil Twin."

Liz Jordan Crowned Newest Vixen Angel

Vixen Media Group (VMG) has crowned Liz Jordan as its newest Vixen Angel.

Brittney Kade Headlines Latest From TransSensual

Brittney Kade stars in "Sweat Slut Licks Pretty Pits for Bear Fuck," from TransSensual.

Sweet Sinner Releases 7th Volume of 'The Hot Wives'

Kenzie Taylor, Little Puck, Blake Blossom, and Sophia Locke star in the seventh volume of "The Hot Wives," from Mile High Media studio imprint Sweet Sinner.

Leilani Li, Angellica Good Star in Latest From TransAngels

Leilani Li and Angellica Good star in the latest release from TransAngels, titled “Double VR Mouth Swap,” alongside Marcus McNeill.

Ember Snow Performs 1st DP in Latest From Pure Taboo

Ember Snow has performed her first DP alongside multi-XMAs winner Seth Gamble and Vince Karter in a new psychological thriller release from Pure Taboo, titled “Locked in a Nightmare.”

Show More