Is it hot in here?? Or is it just all of the steamy, hot love scenes that so many LGBTQ+ shows and movies blessed us with in 2023?!
While watching Fellow Travelers, about halfway into episode one I thought to myself, “This show is horny!” It takes a lot for me to clutch my pearls, and by episode three, my hand was fully pressed to my chest as “Oh my!” flowed from my lips. It wasn’t so much a shock as it was a lovely surprise. For years, queer shows have fought for the same type of intimate legitimacy as shows that have primarily straight couples. Since the ‘90s we’ve been treated to explicit heterosexual scenes, especially during the erotic thriller era. But when it came to gay films, the scenes were either oversexualized but still somehow chaste, or they were capped at a kiss and a panned camera angle. Entertainment like Queer As Folk and The L Word existed, but only on premium cable with TV-MA or R or even NC-17 ratings.
To see mainstream media that’s so brazenly queer is truly a delight. And to see these projects go below the surface and show intimacy and vulnerability is the cherry on top of the sundae!
The scenes are diverse. Some show desperation, while others share a patient longing. Some are manipulative and others are therapy. Through it all you’ll be “aww-ing” as well as fanning yourself, so make sure a glass of cool liquid is nearby!
'Fellow Travelers'
Yes, we all know about “the foot,” but let’s also talk about Tim a.k.a. “Skippy” (Jonathan Bailey) snooting directly into Hawk’s (Matthew Bomer) “lap” like it was full of truffles. The pair created tense and loving scenes that always seemed to have an expiration date on them. A hallmark of their relationship was trying and failing to not fall in love. Another area the series excels is in having more than one love scene, each one fitting the time and mood it’s depicting. It’s a great device that grounds the extremely layered series. Fellow Travelers can be watched in full on Showtime and Paramount+.
'Dead Ringers'
Rachel Weisz in a double role as codependent baby doctors, one of which is chaotically queer and the other is in love with her sister, and it's hard to tell which is which throughout the thrilling Croenenberg remake. The seemingly less toxic twin Beverly begins a relationship with actress Genevieve (Brtine Oldford) and for a brief moment the two are able to connect in a scene that can only be described as a giant exhale for Beverly. Dead Ringers can be seen on Prime Video.
'Dicks: The Musical'
Longtime comedy cabaret duo Josh Sharp and Aaron Jackson adapted their off-Broadway musical Two F***ing Identical Twins into Dicks: The Musical and to say it’s “wild” would be a huge understatement. Sure, it’s rambunctious and irreverent in a John Waters meets Rocky Horror sort of way, but it’s also incestuous, disgusting, and the sex scene is in no way flutter-inducing or intriguing and not a bit romantic. You definitely won’t be put on any watch lists for enjoying this A24 film. Dicks: The Musical can be rented or purchased on VOD.
'The Fall of the House of Usher'
Mike Flanagan has already enchanted and thrilled us with his ensemble casts in projects like The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass. His adaptation of The Fall of the House of Usher decides to be majority queer in the best possible ways. Not only did we get a mini Battlestar Galactica reunion with Mary McDonnell and Michael Trucco, but we got three queer couples, a threesome that could use more enthusiastic consent and a youngest child who is down for anything. In between the scares you’ll find yourself lost in the throes of passion. The Fall of the House of Usher can be seen on Netflix.
'All of Us Strangers'
Andrew Haigh has shown his talents in shows like Looking and films like Weekend. His use of saturated scenery goes wonderfully with Adam (Andrew Scott) in a blue mood and the green verdant hope of Harry (Paul Mescal). As they get to navigate one another, they portray an intimacy and vulnerability that can often get lost in these kinds of narratives. There’s a scene where they share a kiss and Adam has to stop because he’s forgotten to breathe. It’s one of the only films that make a pearl necklace seem wholesome. The sex scenes are top tier, but even more engaging are the moments where they just hold and caress each other. True romance never dies. All of Us Strangers can be seen in a theater near you.
'Red, White & Royal Blue'
The most exciting thing about Prime Video’s Red, White & Royal Blue (based on the novel of the same by Casey McQuiston) is of course the slow-build enemies to lovers trope that fanfic girlies dream of. It’s also the impact wherein straight people took to Twitter in shock and awe that two men could perform missionary. The aforementioned fanfic girlies been knew, but watching middle America come to the realization of “Gay people, they’re just like us!” was as delightful as Prince Henry (Nicholas Galitzine) and Alex Claremont-Diaz (Taylor Zakhar Perez) finally getting on the same page. Red, White & Royal Blue can be streamed on Prime Video.
'Poor Things'
Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone were not a creative pairing I had on my BINGO card, but along with The Favourite and their short film Bleat, they’ve created projects that are interesting and layered. The movie itself is about a lot of things, but at its core it’s about sexual freedom and exploring Bella’s (Stone) sexuality. She meets a friend named Toinette (Suzy Bemba) who introduces her to the enviable delights of oral stimulation. It’s one of the few times we see true intimacy and it’s a welcome rest. Poor Things is currently in theaters.
'Nuovo Olimpo'
Nuovo Olimpo is an Italian film set in the late ‘70s. The title refers to a theater where patrons — usually male — can watch classic films or go to the hallway to find their next leading man. Enea (Damiano Gavino) and Pietro (Andrea Di Luigi) meet and form a whirlwind romance. The film excels in unabashed and unapologetic eroticism with nudity and full on sex scenes. It’s a story that’s well told if not a bit melodramatic. Still, it’s worth the watch. Nuovo Olimpo can be seen on Netflix.
'Passages'
Full disclosure: this film was maddening. But it’s only 91 minutes long and worth it for thee scene. That’s not to say the performances weren’t terrific; I believe the film was meant to be maddening. Watching Tomas (Franz Rogowski) trying to have his cake and everyone else’s too is wildly disconcerting and you realize that Agathe (Adele Exarchopoulos) and Martin (Ben Whishaw) are just trying desperately to stay in orbit around Tomas’s sun. There’s a scene where Martin attempts to assert his dominance and it was nearly rated NC-17 for the effort. It’s beautifully done and the emotion just adds to the pearl clutching nature of the scene. Passages can be seen on Mubi.
'My Animal'
This little indie film supposes the question that I’m sure most of us have had on our minds at some time: What if my girlfriend was a werewolf? Jonny (Amandla Stenberg, our queer horror queen!) and Heather (Bobbi Salvor Menuez) meet respectively as an outcast former figure skater and an outcast goalie. The chemistry between the two is instant and electric and while Heather is okay with losing control of her heart, she’s very concerned with losing control of… the other thing. The love scenes in the film are shot with artistry and grace. They are so metaphorical but also very real despite the fantasy aspect of it all. Truly a must see and Stenberg is always welcome on my screen. My Animal is available to watch on VOD.
Honorable Mention: 'Eileen'
While no official lesbian shenanigans occur, there’s a scene that can only be described as sapphically centered. Eileen is a NEON title and can be watched on VUDU and some select theaters.
Honorable Mention: 'Saltburn'
Again, not overt, but Emerald Fennel’s reimagining of The Talented Mr. Ripley is dripping in queer metaphor and camp aesthetics. Saltburn can be watched on Prime Video.
Honorable Mention: 'Strange Way of Life'
This Pedro Almovadar short film is 30 minutes of pure bliss. From Sheriff Jake (Ethan Hawke) trying and failing to deny Silva’s (Pedro Pascal) cheeks, to Silva just really wanting to sell Jake on his business plan. It’s so well plotted, that the ending is perfect but also leaves you demanding a full order series. Strange Way of Life is a Sony film and currently in limbo. VOD details are pending.