Finding queer cinema to enjoy this month can be difficult. So much of it is so depressing. And the big classics, like Brokeback Mountain, Portrait of a Lady on Fire, Maurice – the ones that usually get recommended – are just heart-wrenching. Sometimes, I don’t want to watch another somewhat realistic, depressing, ‘right person, wrong time’ ending. Sometimes, I want something happy – a utopia where I can forget about the oppressive world that we actually live in. And while those three films are great, it becomes tiring to see so many queer films summed up by their tragic ending. Queer cinema deserves comedy, horror, thriller, sci-fi, fantasy, and more – they don’t always have to be sad. So, with this in mind, allow me to shout out a few of my favourite happy queer stories.
One of my favourite queer TV shows which doesn’t make identity its central focus, while also allowing it to play a realistic role, is Adults on Hulu. Queerness is so present in the show, but it manages to feel so naturally integrated, in addition to being utilised for some fantastic comedic moments. Most notably, as Anton furiously defends Paul Baker’s sexuality, screaming that “he is FLUID!” after they're accused of being “the least interesting gays” by a pregnant teenager staying in their house. It’s one of those shows you can binge in a day flat, leaving you desperate for more.
“Queerness is so present in the show, but it manages to feel so naturally integrated”
If horror or fantasy is more your thing, Interview with the Vampire is an incredible show. It's gritty and dark, and while love is incredibly important in the show's central storyline, it’s less about romance and more about obsession. Further yet, I feel I have a moral obligation to highlight I Am Not Okay With This, one of the greatest cinematic losses of my life. A fantastically gripping sci-fi drama show with a slightly awkward yet utterly adorable dynamic between its two central characters, Sydney and Dina, the show had so much going for it. Least of all, its hilarious yet investing cliffhanger in the series finale, which hinted at the promise of a budding queer relationship. But, of course, Netflix just had to cancel it after one season (despite Emily in Paris getting seemingly endlessly renewed, but I digress).
Luckily, though, the Netflix cash cow can occasionally work in our favour, and Bridgerton's next season is one I've been eagerly anticipating since the end of season three. The upcoming season will explore the relationship between Francesca Bridgerton and Michaela Stirling, who become united by a shared loss. Queer love in period dramas is most often depicted as a sad attempt at realism – centering around a hidden, doomed relationship in the name of historical accuracy – but I anticipate that Bridgerton will do what it does best and rewrite the narrative, creating a utopia that sidesteps the societal confines of the period in which it is set (as they did with the most recent season, wherein Benedict Bridgerton fell for a Cinderella-inspired maid). Both Hannah Dodd and Masali Baduza have been incredible in the show so far, with longing glances and fleeting touches in crowded rooms speaking to the growing bond between them, giving me hope that when I tune into this new season I won’t have to suppress shivers of cringe every five minutes.
“Queer love in period dramas is most often depicted as a sad attempt at realism”
When it comes to queer films, there is no shortage of worthy candidates for your watchlist, some of my favourites being Bottoms (2023) and But I’m A Cheerleader (1999) – a cult classic, and an actual classic. Both sweet and completely hilarious, and I don’t think I’ve watched a funnier movie than Bottoms since its release. A less well-known pick is the short film Heart Shot, and while a lot of Letterboxd reviewers may not have been impressed, I maintain that it's worth the watch. It incorporates a sweet, lighthearted relationship between Nikki and Sam in the beginning, before it transforms into something darker altogether. And though some of the moments may have, admittedly, been slightly cheesy, the combat scenes more than make up for it. Every camera angle feels dynamic, and the score alongside builds so much tension. For such a short run time, it does what it does well.
This is all without mentioning some particularly exciting upcoming releases. First and foremost, Lola Tung is set to star in Ripe!, a sapphic football romcom produced by former professional player Kelley O’Hara, who went viral for publicly coming out by kissing her girlfriend in the stands after a victory in 2019. Only a few short teasers have been released so far – all we know is that it’s based on the 2024 short film of the same name that debuted at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival, depicting a passionate rivalry between a Spanish local and an American exchange student who play on opposite soccer teams. Keep an eye out for Ephemera, too, directed by Shan Jiang, which is set in post-pandemic Shanghai and explores a spontaneous date which transforms into something more. Based on the little information we have, it sounds like the audience gets the chance to linger with these characters in the short time before one of them returns to LA, welcoming us along for the ride in this one-night-only romance before the clock runs out.
“While a lot of Letterboxd reviewers may not have been impressed, I maintain that it's worth the watch
As well as being a time of celebration and acceptance, it's impossible to ignore the challenges of Pride Month, especially as headline after headline springs up detailing yet another homophobic protest, or another hateful statement made by someone in power meant to protect the people. Sometimes, you just want to sink into a cinematic world of fantasy and fiction, not looking up for two hours as you imagine how different things could be. So, with this list, let yourself do exactly that.
Happy Pride Month, everyone!
