🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Craig Johnson
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance, LGBT
- Release year: 2018
- Runtime (length): 1h 39min
- IMDb rating: 6.3/10 (20K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 79%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A perfectly average teenager tries to lose his virginity, accidentally finds out he might be gay, and everyone deals with it surprisingly well. It’s basically a teen rom-com where the biggest drama is figuring out your own feelings.
🍿 Alex Strangelove: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Introduction: Alex and Claire’s Relationship
Alex Truelove, a high school senior, is portrayed as a well-rounded student with a long-term girlfriend, Claire. They’re both intelligent and appear to have a loving, supportive relationship. However, Alex is hesitant to take their relationship to the next level, leading to some underlying tension as they plan to lose their virginity together. The setup establishes Alex’s comfortable, predictable life, creating a stark contrast to the confusion he will soon experience. The movie hints at Alex’s internal conflict, setting the stage for his journey of self-discovery.

The Introduction of Elliot
Alex’s life takes an unexpected turn when he meets Elliot, a charming and openly gay student from another school. This encounter sparks feelings in Alex that he hasn’t experienced before, leading to confusion and questioning of his sexuality. The movie uses Elliot’s character to disrupt Alex’s previously defined identity. As Alex spends more time with Elliot, he finds himself increasingly drawn to him, further complicating his relationship with Claire. This creates a central conflict that drives the narrative forward, forcing Alex to confront his true feelings.

Alex’s Internal Conflict and Exploration
Caught between his feelings for Claire and his growing attraction to Elliot, Alex embarks on a journey of self-exploration. He tries to understand his sexuality and grapple with the possibility that he might not be who he thought he was. This journey involves awkward attempts to be intimate with Claire, introspection, and conversations with his friends. Alex’s struggle is portrayed with humor and honesty, capturing the awkwardness and confusion of coming to terms with one’s identity. He grapples with societal expectations and internalized homophobia, adding depth to his character.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Alex Truelove (Daniel Doheny): A high school senior whose plans to lose his virginity are disrupted by his growing attraction to another boy.
- Claire (Madeline Weinstein): Alex’s supportive girlfriend who navigates her own feelings as Alex explores his sexuality.
- Elliot (Antonio Marziale): A charming gay teenager who inadvertently causes Alex to question his sexuality.
- Dell (Daniel Zolghardi): Alex’s outspoken best friend, providing comedic relief and at times, unintentional insensitivity.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Alex: “I’m sorry I was such a shitty boyfriend.” – Alex apologizes to Claire after realizing his true sexuality and how it affected their relationship.
- Claire: “No. No, you’re the best gay boyfriend a girl could have.” – Claire responds humorously to Alex’s apology, showing her acceptance and support.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: N/A
💥 Alex Strangelove Reviews
Personal Review
I really enjoyed “Alex Strangelove.” It felt so relatable, especially Alex’s confusion about his feelings. The scene where he finally accepts himself was so powerful! It’s not just a coming-out story, but a story about accepting yourself, which is a message everyone needs to hear. Highly recommend it if you’re looking for something sweet and genuine.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Teenagers and young adults”
- “Fans of coming-of-age stories”
- “Viewers interested in LGBTQ+ themes”
- “People looking for a lighthearted and funny movie with a serious message”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Sexual content”
- “Strong language”
- “Drug use”
- “Discussion of sexuality”
Professional Reviews
- Rotten Tomatoes: “”Alex Strangelove” handles its sensitive subject matter with care and humor, offering a refreshing take on the coming-of-age story. While it occasionally veers into predictability, the performances are charming and the message is heartfelt. A must-watch for those who enjoy authentic teen dramas.
- IMDb: “The movie explores identity with sensitivity and relatable characters. While some might find it a bit cliché, “Alex Strangelove” successfully captures the confusion and excitement of self-discovery. A heartwarming and engaging watch.
Audience Reactions
The humor was spot on and made the movie so enjoyable.: Viewers praised the film’s honest portrayal of teen sexuality and identity exploration.
The acting felt genuine and made me connect with the characters.: The performances were consistently highlighted as a strong point, particularly Daniel Doheny as Alex.
Overall Consensus: “Alex Strangelove” is a heartwarming and relatable coming-of-age story that explores identity with sensitivity and humor, making it a worthwhile watch for fans of the genre.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film explores themes of sexual identity and self-discovery with a blend of humor and heart.”
- “Director Craig Johnson aimed to create a relatable coming-of-age story that reflects the complexities of modern relationships and sexual exploration.”
- “Jesse James Keitel, who portrays Sidney, is also credited as a makeup artist, specifically “Additional Make-up for Sidney,” meaning he did most of his own make-up for his multiple appearances on screen.”
🖥️ How to Watch Alex Strangelove?
Alex Strangelove is a Netflix original movie and is exclusively available for streaming on Netflix. At this time, it is not available for purchase on platforms like Prime Video or Apple TV.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Alex Strangelove, you might like these similar films:
- Love, Simon (2018): Both films are coming-of-age stories centered around a teenage boy grappling with his sexual identity and coming out.
- The Way He Looks (2014): This Brazilian film offers a sensitive portrayal of a blind teenager’s journey of self-discovery and first love with another boy.
- Booksmart (2019): Captures the awkwardness and humor of high school experiences while exploring themes of friendship and self-discovery.
- But I’m a Cheerleader (1999): A satirical comedy that explores similar themes of sexual identity and societal expectations in a lighthearted manner.
🛒 Alex Strangelove Related Products
- Heartstopper: Volume One: Dive into another story of self-discovery with “Heartstopper,” a graphic novel series that captures the same themes of love and acceptance found in “Alex Strangelove.”
- Funko Pop! Pride Collection: Show your support with the Funko Pop! Pride collection. These vibrant and inclusive figures are a fantastic way to celebrate diversity and express yourself.
- Love, Simon (Blu-ray): Another heartfelt coming-of-age story about self-acceptance.
- Pride Flag: A simple, powerful way to show your support.
🎧 Soundtrack
Alex Strangelove features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
No, Alex Strangelove is a fictional story. While the themes of sexual exploration and coming of age are relatable, the specific events and characters are not based on real people.
Alex Strangelove is rated TV-MA. This means it is intended for mature audiences and may contain content that is not suitable for children under 17.
Yes, both Alex Strangelove and Love, Simon are coming-of-age stories about gay teenagers. While they have different plots and characters, they explore similar themes of self-discovery, acceptance, and the challenges of coming out.
🔥 Bonus Content
Top 10 BEST Gay Movies with Happy Endings
Looking for more heartwarming LGBTQ+ stories after watching Alex Strangelove? This video rounds up 10 of the best gay movies with happy endings, so you can keep the good vibes rolling! I especially appreciate that they included a diverse range of films.
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