Hallmark’s The Stars Between Us Review: Loveuary Romance Stumbles

Hallmark Channel’s annual Loveuary event took a celestial turn with The Stars Between Us, a romance built around missed connections, second chances, and a total solar eclipse. The film stars Sarah Drew and Matt Long, trying to blend newsroom ambition with academic stargazing, and, of course, Hallmark’s usual mix of lovable side characters and a mischievous rival.

There’s even the ever-present wise elder. Here’s a look at why this cosmic love story both shines and stalls, depending on your mood.

A Love Story Written in the Stars — But Stuck in Orbit

Loveuary is Hallmark Channel’s annual celebration of romance. This year’s third installment aimed high — literally.

The Stars Between Us centers on Kim Gallagher, played by Sarah Drew. She’s a recently divorced single mom working behind the scenes at a Chicago news station.

Kim’s hungry for her on-camera break, so she grabs the chance to cover a rare total eclipse back in Illinois. It’s the same place she once shared a fleeting, electric moment with a stranger seven years ago.

That stranger is Malcolm Brooks, played by Matt Long. Malcolm’s now an astronomy professor with dreams of getting his manuscript to a famous astrophysicist who once mentored him.

But fate — and the moon — have other plans. Or maybe just a sense of humor.

The Meet-Cute That Launched a Seven-Year Wait

The film opens with a classic Hallmark spark: Kim and Malcolm locking eyes during an eclipse event years ago. There’s chemistry, longing, and a sense of what-if.

They’re both in other relationships and never exchange names. It’s romantic, wistful, and honestly, it’s the emotional hook that carries the whole thing.

Fast-forward to the present. Both are single, older, and supposedly wiser.

Kim’s juggling single motherhood with her career, while Malcolm’s balancing academia and the pressure to finally get noticed for his writing. The eclipse gives them another cosmic shot — if they can just stop missing each other.

The Art of Almost: A Story of Constant Near-Misses

If there’s one thing The Stars Between Us does, it’s lean into repetition. For almost the entire movie, Kim and Malcolm are in the same places, at the same events, sometimes just a few feet apart — but they never quite connect.

It’s a device Hallmark has used before, but here it’s dialed up. The anticipation builds, but the pacing slows, and the film lingers in moments that feel like they’re stretching toward a payoff that takes its sweet time.

When the reunion finally happens, it’s satisfying — but honestly, it feels overdue.

Does the Slow Burn Pay Off?

That depends on your patience for delayed gratification. The chemistry between Sarah Drew and Matt Long is gentle and believable, more warm than electric.

Their eventual reconnection feels earned, but the journey there drags in places. Still, there’s comfort in the predictability. This is Hallmark, after all.

The audience knows the eclipse will do more than darken the sky — it’ll shine a light on unfinished business.

The Real Scene-Stealers: Side Characters Who Shine Bright

Funny enough, the most vibrant energy in the movie doesn’t always come from the main couple. The supporting cast injects life and some much-needed levity.

Kim’s news crew includes Reed, a privileged producer with ambition to spare, and Claire, the sharp and grounded camerawoman. Grayson Gurnsey and Donna Benedicto bring humor and spark to the newsroom scenes.

Malcolm has his loyal friend Travis and his accomplished former student Meredith, played by Noah Paul and Junnicia Lagoutin. They’re a good hang.

Predictable Pairings — But Comfortingly So

Hallmark fans know the formula: if two single supporting characters share enough screen time, romance is inevitable. Claire and Travis get drawn together, while Reed and Meredith spark a late-film connection that’s about as subtle as a solar flare.

It’s cozy and expected. Honestly, it works.

• Claire and Travis bring playful banter and grounded charm.
• Reed and Meredith offer a more subtle, career-minded connection.
• The ensemble dynamic keeps things from feeling too insular.

These secondary romances help fill in the gaps while the main couple keeps missing each other.

The Santa Figure and the Hallmark Villain We Love to Hate

No Hallmark movie is complete without the benevolent elder and the charming antagonist. The Stars Between Us delivers both.

Professor Longford, played by Greg Rogers, is the elusive astrophysicist everyone wants to interview. When he finally shows up, he’s warm, genial, and honestly, a little Santa-like.

He brings mentorship energy and gentle wisdom, anchoring the story. Then there’s the rival reporter.

Enter the Rival Reporter

Benjamin Wilkinson plays a competing news reporter determined to sabotage Kim’s big break. Wilkinson’s got the Hallmark antagonist vibe down — not cartoonish, but just smarmy enough to keep things interesting.

His scenes crackle with tension and add a layer of professional conflict. Alongside Hallmark regular Steve Bacic, Wilkinson remains one of the network’s most reliably magnetic almost-villains.

Performance Highlights and Emotional Undercurrents

Sarah Drew brings sincerity to Kim, grounding her ambition in vulnerability. Her portrayal of a divorced mom striving for recognition feels authentic and relatable.

Matt Long’s Malcolm is thoughtful and introspective, though sometimes he’s a little too restrained for his own good. Together, they create a romance that’s more mature than impulsive.

This isn’t love at first sight — it’s love rediscovered. And maybe that’s what makes it stick.

A Movie Worth Watching — But Not Rewatching?

At the end of its cosmic journey, The Stars Between Us lands softly. It’s enjoyable and comforting.

The film is competently made, but you know, it just doesn’t quite have that spark that makes a Hallmark romance unforgettable. It’s missing something that’d make you want to watch it again and again.

If I had to rate it in popcorn buckets, it’d get a solid three out of five. That’s not bad at all, especially if you’re into Loveuary or the whole eclipse-destiny thing.

For fans of gentle romance, it’s worth a watch. It might not top anyone’s all-time list, though.

There’s something soothing about a story where timing is everything. Even the briefest connection can come back around when the universe decides to play matchmaker.

If you’re just looking for a cozy romance with familiar beats, this movie’s got enough warmth to make it worth your while. Sure, it drifts a bit, but sometimes that’s part of the charm.

As Loveuary wraps up with Romance at Hope Ranch, I have to admit—Hallmark really gets its audience. Maybe a predictable orbit is right where some of us want to be.