The narrative is a "parable of the grieving process" that uses an extended avian metaphor:
: A territorial starling nesting in Lilly's garden begins attacking her, serving as a blunt metaphor for the uncontrollable and aggressive nature of her internal sorrow. Her attempts to "battle" the bird mirror her attempts to regain control over her life. The Starling (2021)
: Lilly seeks guidance from Dr. Larry Fine ( Kevin Kline ), a former psychologist turned veterinarian. Their unlikely sessions help her process her loss and work toward reconnecting with Jack. Critical Reception The narrative is a "parable of the grieving
Upon its release on , the film received largely unfavorable reviews from professional critics: Larry Fine ( Kevin Kline ), a former
: The story explores the diverging paths of grief. While Lilly (played by Melissa McCarthy ) stoically attempts to maintain their home and work a retail job, Jack (played by Chris O'Dowd ) is admitted to a psychiatric facility following a breakdown.