The Florida Project (2017)

Sean Baker’s The Florida Project is a powerful slice-of-life drama that juxtaposes childhood innocence with the harsh realities of poverty. Set just outside the gates of Walt Disney World, the film follows six-year-old Moonee and her young mother Halley as they try to survive day to day in a budget motel. It’s both whimsical and devastating, often in the same breath.

Detailed Summary

Life at the Magic Castle Motel

Moonee (Brooklynn Prince) is a precocious six-year-old living with her mother Halley (Bria Vinaite) at the Magic Castle, a low-budget motel in Kissimmee, Florida. The motel, painted in bright purple, sits in the shadow of Disney World, creating a stark contrast between dreams of fantasy and the harshness of reality. Moonee spends her days with her friends Scooty and later Jancey, getting into mischief—spitting on cars, exploring abandoned houses, and sharing ice cream.

Halley’s Struggles

Halley, barely in her twenties, is unemployed and struggling to pay the weekly rent. She turns to hustling and eventually sex work to make ends meet. Her immaturity often mirrors her daughter’s—Halley resists rules, lashes out at authority, and gets into fights. Despite her flaws, she fiercely loves Moonee, but her inability to provide stability creates growing tension.

Bobby the Manager

Bobby (Willem Dafoe), the motel manager, is both caretaker and disciplinarian. He tolerates Halley’s antics longer than most would and looks out for the children, repairing what he can in their world. His humanity shines through in moments like protecting kids from a suspicious stranger or quietly helping residents in need.

The Breaking Point

Halley’s survival tactics catch up with her. After a series of conflicts with other tenants, her rent is overdue again. When child protective services (CPS) arrive at the Magic Castle to investigate, Halley lashes out, but it’s clear the situation is beyond repair. The looming threat of Moonee being taken away intensifies.

Movie Ending

In the final act, CPS arrives at the motel to remove Moonee. She realizes what’s happening and breaks down in tears, running to her best friend Jancey at the nearby Futureland Inn. In a heartbreaking scene, Moonee hugs Jancey tightly and says goodbye, sobbing, “You’re my best friend.”

The film then shifts to an unexpected, dreamlike ending: Jancey grabs Moonee’s hand, and the two run away. Suddenly, the cinematography changes from the grounded, observational style to a handheld iPhone shot. The girls run through the streets and eventually into Walt Disney World itself. They pass through the gates, racing toward Cinderella’s castle.

This ending is intentionally ambiguous. It may be Moonee’s fantasy—a final act of imagination to escape her trauma—or it could be read literally. Either way, it’s a striking contrast: the fairytale castle that loomed in the background throughout the film becomes a symbol of hope, escapism, and childhood resilience in the face of despair.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, The Florida Project does not include a post-credits scene. Once the ending fades, that’s it—Sean Baker leaves the audience with lingering questions and emotions rather than epilogue explanations.

Type of Movie

The film is a drama and slice-of-life social realism piece. It blends the wonder of childhood adventure with the raw portrayal of economic hardship, creating a powerful, bittersweet narrative.

Cast

• Brooklynn Prince as Moonee
• Bria Vinaite as Halley
• Willem Dafoe as Bobby Hicks
• Valeria Cotto as Jancey
• Christopher Rivera as Scooty
• Caleb Landry Jones as Jack

Film Music and Composer

The film does not rely heavily on a traditional score. Instead, Baker uses ambient sounds, playful childlike energy, and occasional bursts of music to ground the story in realism. When music does appear, it often underscores the contrast between joy and hardship.

Filming Locations

The movie was filmed primarily on location in Kissimmee and Orlando, Florida, near the actual Walt Disney World. The Magic Castle Inn & Suites and the Futureland Inn were real motels where filming took place. The use of real locations was crucial—these motels house people living on the edge of homelessness, and Baker wanted to portray that world authentically.

Awards and Nominations

• Academy Award Nomination: Willem Dafoe for Best Supporting Actor
• Golden Globe Nomination: Willem Dafoe, Best Supporting Actor
• Critics’ Choice Awards: Multiple nominations, including Best Picture
• AFI Awards: Named as one of the Top 10 Films of the Year

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Sean Baker cast Bria Vinaite (Halley) after discovering her on Instagram. She had no prior acting experience.
• Brooklynn Prince’s performance was widely praised; she was only seven years old during filming.
• The final Disney World sequence was shot guerrilla-style without permission, using an iPhone to avoid detection.
• Willem Dafoe was the only established Hollywood actor among the main cast, anchoring the film with his credibility.

Inspirations and References

The story is inspired by the hidden homelessness crisis near Orlando’s theme parks. Baker wanted to show the lives of families who live in motels long-term because they cannot afford permanent housing. The title “The Florida Project” references the original name Walt Disney gave to his plan for Disney World before it opened.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

Sean Baker has mentioned that the ending was always intended to be ambiguous. No alternate filmed ending has been released, but there were discussions about how literal or fantastical the final run into Disney should appear. The guerrilla iPhone shoot gave it a dreamlike, spur-of-the-moment feel.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The movie is not adapted from a book. It’s an original screenplay by Sean Baker and Chris Bergoch. However, it has inspired articles, essays, and academic discussions about poverty in America.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• The kids spitting on a car from the motel balcony.
• Moonee and her friends exploring an abandoned condo.
• Bobby confronting a suspicious man hanging around the children.
• Halley and Moonee sharing stolen waffles in a tender moment.
• The heartbreaking goodbye between Moonee and Jancey before the final run.

Iconic Quotes

• Moonee: “You know why this is my favorite tree? ‘Cause it’s tipped over, and it’s still growing.”
• Halley: “I got a kid, so I can’t be a kid.”
• Bobby: “You don’t think it’s sad that they gotta live here?”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• The bright purple paint of the Magic Castle motel contrasts with the bleakness of its residents’ lives, echoing the clash between fantasy and reality.
• The movie’s title nods to Disney’s codename, hinting at the shadow Disney World casts over the characters’ lives.
• The film never shows Disney directly until the ending, reinforcing its role as an unattainable dream.

Trivia

• Sean Baker is also known for shooting Tangerine entirely on an iPhone before The Florida Project.
• The child actors were often allowed to improvise, leading to natural dialogue.
• Willem Dafoe actually had to shoo away real motel guests during filming.

Why Watch?

Because it’s one of the most honest portrayals of American poverty in modern cinema. It shows the resilience of children, the failures of systems, and the complexities of flawed parents without turning into melodrama. It’s equal parts heartwarming and devastating, often in the same scene.

Director’s Other Movies

• Tangerine (2015)
• Red Rocket (2021)
• Starlet (2012)
• Prince of Broadway (2008)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Moonlight (2016)
• Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012)
• Wendy and Lucy (2008)
• American Honey (2016)
• Shoplifters (2018)