Queer Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

James Bond quits MI6, moves to Mexico to find himself, and maybe a younger boyfriend, but mostly finds drugs and existential dread.

🍿 Queer: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Life in 1950s Mexico City

William Lee, a middle-aged American expat and heroin addict, lives a solitary existence in Mexico City. He drifts through his days with little meaningful interaction, numbing his loneliness with drugs and alcohol. This section explores Lee’s detachment and struggles with addiction within the backdrop of a small American community.

The Arrival of Eugene Allerton

Lee’s monotonous life is disrupted by the arrival of Eugene Allerton, a young, enigmatic former soldier. Lee becomes infatuated with Eugene, seeing him as a potential connection to something more meaningful. The plot thickens as Lee attempts to decipher Eugene’s true feelings, unsure if his affections are reciprocated.

A Quest for Telepathy

Driven by his desire to understand Eugene, Lee embarks on a bizarre quest to find ‘yage,’ a plant rumored to grant telepathic abilities. He believes this will allow him to connect with Eugene on a deeper level, bypassing the uncertainty of words. This journey leads them both on a surreal and transformative path into the depths of South America.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• William Lee (Daniel Craig): An American expat and heroin addict in 1950s Mexico City who seeks an intimate connection with a younger man.
• Eugene Allerton (Drew Starkey): A young, enigmatic ex-soldier in Mexico City who becomes the object of William Lee’s affection and obsession.
• Joe Guidry (Jason Schwartzman): A friend and fellow expat of William Lee who provides companionship and comic relief.
• Dr. Cotter (Lesley Manville): A bizarre botanist in the South American jungle who researches plants that may unlock telepathic abilities.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Eugene Allerton: “I’m not queer. Lee… I’m not queer.” – Eugene says this while communicating telepathically during a drug-induced state, emphasizing his internal conflict.
• Eugene Allerton: “I’m disembodied.” – He utters this alongside his denial of being queer, hinting at a disconnection from his physical self and identity.
• William Lee: “I know.” – William responds to Eugene’s denial with this line, displaying his understanding (or delusion) of their connection.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: $3,736,813
• Worldwide Gross: $5,465,773

💥 Queer Reviews

Personal Review

I walked into this movie expecting a queer romance but I got something much more complex and darker. Daniel Craig is amazing as William Lee, a deeply flawed and lonely man searching for connection. The scenes in Mexico City are visually stunning, and the soundtrack perfectly captures the mood. The trip to the jungle gets a bit weird, but overall, it’s a thought-provoking film that stayed with me long after the credits rolled. I especially loved how the film tackled themes of desire and acceptance. It really made me think about my own relationships.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Luca Guadagnino’s previous work (e.g., ‘Call Me By Your Name’, ‘Suspiria’)”
  • “Viewers interested in LGBTQ+ cinema and character studies”
  • “Those familiar with and appreciative of William S. Burroughs’ writing style”
  • “Audiences who enjoy surreal and introspective films”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic male nudity and sexual situations”
  • “Drug use and addiction”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Hallucinatory and potentially disturbing imagery”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Daniel Craig delivers a compelling performance as a troubled expat, but the film’s fragmented narrative and heavy reliance on symbolism may alienate some viewers. Luca Guadagnino’s direction is visually striking, yet the story struggles to find emotional resonance.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Queer is a visually stunning and atmospheric adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ novella. Daniel Craig’s portrayal of William Lee is both captivating and heartbreaking. However, the film’s slow pace and unconventional narrative may not appeal to all audiences.
• Screen Daily: “Luca Guadagnino’s Queer explores themes of loneliness, desire, and addiction with mixed results. Daniel Craig delivers a standout performance, but the film’s disjointed structure and heavy-handed symbolism ultimately detract from its emotional impact.

Audience Reactions

Daniel Craig’s performance is phenomenal and emotionally raw.: Viewers praised the movie for its daring exploration of complex themes.

The cinematography and art direction are visually captivating.: The movie’s visuals were widely lauded.

Overall Consensus: Queer is a visually striking and thought-provoking film with a standout performance from Daniel Craig. However, its unconventional narrative and dark themes may not appeal to all viewers.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on the semi-autobiographical novella ‘Queer’ by William S. Burroughs, written in 1951 but not published until 1985.”
• “Daniel Craig personally advocated for Drew Starkey’s casting after viewing audition tapes with Luca Guadagnino.”
• “The film utilizes a soundtrack with anachronistic music choices, including tracks by Nirvana and New Order, despite being set in the 1950s.”

🖥️ How to Watch Queer?

As a recent release, ‘Queer’ is currently available in select theaters. Once its theatrical run concludes, expect it to become available for streaming on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, or through online rental and purchase options such as Google Play Movies. Check local listings for theatrical showings or streaming availability updates.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Queer, you might like these similar films:

• Naked Lunch (1991): Both films are based on the works of William S. Burroughs and explore similar themes of addiction, sexuality, and experimental storytelling.
• Call Me by Your Name (2017): Directed by Luca Guadagnino, it explores themes of desire, love, and self-discovery in a homosexual relationship, similar to the focus on intimacy in ‘Queer’.
• A Single Man (2009): Deals with themes of loneliness, grief, and finding meaning in life after loss, reflecting William Lee’s search for connection.
• Maurice (1987): Explores themes of homosexual love and self-acceptance in a restrictive social environment, akin to the exploration of queer identity in ‘Queer’.

🛒 Queer Related Products

• Queer (William S. Burroughs): The original novella that inspired the film, offering a deeper dive into the themes and characters.
• Queer Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the movie poster, perfect for collectors and fans of the film.
• The Apartment Blu-Ray Collection: A blu-ray collection of all of the films produced by The Apartment. Excellent product to familiarize yourself with the production company
• James Bond 007 Daniel Craig Action Figure: A limited-edition action figure of Daniel Craig as James Bond, for fans who want to celebrate his iconic role.

🎧 Soundtrack

Queer features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “All Apologies” – performed by Sinéad O’Connor
• “Pure Love” – performed by Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
• “Vaster than Empires” – performed by Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

“I Didn’t Want To Mimic Him” – How Daniel Craig Portrayed William Burroughs’ Avatar In “Queer”

Ever wonder how Daniel Craig tackled the role of William Burroughs in ‘Queer’? This interview on The Late Show gives a fascinating glimpse into his character development, and I found his explanation about not wanting to mimic Burroughs especially insightful!

A FULL BREAKDOWN of ALL SYMBOLS and THE ENDING of Queer | EXPLAINED

Struggling to decipher the ending of ‘Queer’ or its hidden symbols? This video breaks it all down in a way that’s super easy to understand. Honestly, it made me appreciate the film even more!

Queer: Daniel Craig on masculinity, homophobia and Omar Apollo

Want to hear Daniel Craig’s take on the themes in ‘Queer’? This interview with Attitude Magazine is a must-watch. I was particularly interested in his perspective on masculinity and homophobia within the story!

Mark Kermode reviews Queer from live show – Kermode and Mayo’s Take

Have you heard what Mark Kermode thinks about ‘Queer’? In this review, he shares his honest thoughts from a live show. Whether you agree or disagree with his assessment, it’s always interesting to hear his perspective!

✨ Rate