Explore every episode of the podcast The Queer Gaze
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| TIFF 2026: Julián (2026) | 16 Sep 2026 | 00:12:00 | |
Conrad and Joe continue their coverage of queer texts at TIFF 2026 with an adaptation that's heavy on the queer coding: Julián (2026). From acclaimed Irish animation studio Cartoon Saloon, Louise Bagnall's adaptation of Jessica Love’s Julián Is a Mermaid is a beautiful, vibrant, gentle animated film with low-stakes conflict. Plus: a coded Pride parade; speaking Spanish; and Joe's reading of Julián's father. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| TIFF 2026: Coward (2026) | 15 Sep 2026 | 00:10:12 | |
Conrad and Joe's TIFF coverage continues with a spoiler-free look at writer/director Lukas Dhont's latest film, Coward (2026). A love story set in the trenches of WWI, the film focuses on Belgian farmer Pierre and tailor's son Francis as they navigate their developing romance in a time when it's not acceptable to be queer. Seen the film or want to hear more details? Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze another ~20 minutes of spoilery discussion. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| TIFF 2026: Masc (2026) | 14 Sep 2026 | 00:15:04 | |
Our TIFF 2026 coverage continues with Bertil Nilsson's feature directorial debut Masc (2026) which explores the intersection of race, queerness, and neurodivergence. It's a challenging and occasionally confronting film, but a rewarding one, particularly how it employs dance/chroreography to recontextualize the main character. Seen the film or want to hear more details? Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze another 25 minutes of spoiler-heavy discussion. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| TIFF 2026: Ancestors (2026) | 12 Sep 2026 | 00:16:28 | |
Conrad and Joe continue our TIFF 2026 coverage with a spoiler free(ish) review of David Turpin’s Ancestors, a "dreamy" 1980s AIDS drama about Irishman Beau (Éanna Hardwicke) searching for enigmatic musician Tiny (Jack Wolfe) across parallel timelines. Also starring queer icon Rupert Everett and Christina Hendricks, this languid film aims at art cinema, but falters from a too long runtime and comparisons to other texts like Longtime Companion. Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze for more bonus content Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| TIFF 2026: Oxygen Masks Will (Not) Drop Automatically (2026) | 11 Sep 2026 | 00:15:16 | |
Joe and Conrad dig into the first episode of the renowned Brazilian filmmaker Marcelo Gomes' HBO Max series Oxygen Masks Will (Not) Drop Automatically, which tells the true story of a group of flight attendants who smuggle treatment drugs from America into the hands of patients with AIDS in 1980s Brazil. Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze for more bonus content. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry (2007) | 10 Sep 2026 | 00:23:17 | |
Joe and Conrad hit the most popular of our 'Gay Panic' titles with I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry (2007). This is a film that thinks its funny because it's offensive to everyone, but really all of these actors should be put in jail. Or maybe we're being too mean? Jessica Biel's character is clearly the moral center of the film and the movie clearly sides with queer people. Seen the film or want to hear more details? Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze another 15.5 minutes of spoiler-heavy discussion. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Matthias & Maxime (2019) | 27 Aug 2026 | 00:17:35 | |
Conrad and Joe continue our 'Gay Panic' theme with Canadian writer/director Xavier Dolan's Matthias & Maxime (2019). It's a return to his roots for Dolan, who explores the crisis of masculinity that follows a meaningful kiss. Plus: mocking the English language; more mommy issues; and a significant birthmark. Seen the film or want to hear more details? Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze another ~16.5 minutes of spoiler-heavy discussion. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| I Love You, Man (2009) | 13 Aug 2026 | 00:18:31 | |
Our second entry in the 'Gay Panic' theme is John Hamburg's 2009 American bromance I Love You, Man, which we struggled to connect with. Issues with the ending aside, there's only one joke that truly worked (credit to Thomas Lennon), though we did enjoy seeing Jon Favreau get puked on. Mostly we just feel bad for Rashida Jones. Seen the film or want to hear more details? Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze for ~16.5 more minutes of spoiler-heavy discussion. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Humpday (2009) | 30 Jul 2026 | 00:22:49 | |
Conrad and Joe kick off a new theme on 'Gay Panic' with a look at Lynn Shelton's Humpday (2009). Starring Mark Duplass and The Blair Witch Project's Joshua Leonard, the film explores the intersection of intimacy and sex when estranged heterosexual friends drunkenly decide to make a sex tape as an art project. It's a sitcom-level premise executed to surprisingly good effect (thanks to great direction and excellent lead performances). Also: Ana is the best. Seen the film or want to hear more details? Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze for ~21 more minutes of spoiler-heavy discussion. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Dallas Buyers Club (2013) | 16 Jul 2026 | 00:22:58 | |
Conrad and Joe tackle their second Jean-Marc Vallée title with 2013's Dallas Buyers Club. Starring Matthew McConaughey (in full McConaughassance) as real life figure Ron Woodroof, this is more biopic than HIV/AIDS text. Plus: Jennifer Garner as patron saint of queer films; bemoaning Jared Leto's presence and the depiction of a transwoman; and why the film's message about medicine is troubling. Seen the film or want to hear more details? Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze for ~22 more minutes of spoiler-heavy discussion. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Angels In America: Perestroika (2003) | 02 Jul 2026 | 00:23:05 | |
Conrad and Joe return to discuss the back half of Mike Nichols' multi-award winning HBO limited series, Angels in America. Does the series pay off its lengthy time commitment? Does the visual scope of the production justify its costly expense? And who is the real villain of the piece? Plus: Conrad's frustration with the ending; baring all (nudity!); and not caring about Mary-Louise Parker's final monologue Seen the film or want to hear more details? Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze for ~21 more minutes of spoiler-heavy discussion. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Leviticus (2026) | 22 Jun 2026 | 00:10:51 | |
Conrad and Joe drop a (mostly) spoiler-free review of writer/director Adrian Chiarella's feature debut Leviticus (2026) about two boys who fall in love in a religious community that punishes them by using their attraction against them. It's a beautifully shot and acted film - more of a romance than a horror film, though several moments still unsettled us. Don't miss this when it plays near you! Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Angels In America: Millennium Approaches (2003) | 18 Jun 2026 | 00:21:11 | |
Settle in because we are discussing the first three episodes/hours of the HBO miniseries adaptation of Tony Kushner's Pulitzer-award winning play, Angels in America. Directed by Mike Nichols and starring a combination of prestige A-list actors (Pacino, Thompson, Streep) and rising newcomers (Wilson, Kirk, Wright), Millennium Approaches proves to be a dense, challenging watch. Plus: Harper's magical realism; our interest in Joe, Prior and Louis; Thompson's American accent; and how the $62M budget makes things a bit too glossy. Seen the film or want to hear more details? Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze for ~20 more minutes of spoiler-heavy discussion. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Philadelphia (1993) | 04 Jun 2026 | 00:22:18 | |
We're discussing the most popular title from our slate of 1993 films depicting HIV and AIDS: Jonathan Demme's Oscar winning movie, Philadelphia. Starring Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington, the film is equal parts character drama (for Washington's Joe Miller), and courtroom/activist piece as Hanks' fights his discriminatory firing. Plus: Demme's intrusive direction; Washington's (not nominated?!) performance; the film's failure to critique homophobic/uninformed beliefs; and why this film feels soooo 1993. Seen the film or want to hear more details? Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze for ~21 more minutes of spoiler-heavy discussion. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| And The Band Played On (1993) | 21 May 2026 | 00:25:38 | |
Conrad and Joe check out Roger Spottiswoode's sprawling 1993 adaptation of Randy Shilts non-fiction tome, And The Band Played On. Featuring a star studded A-list cast, the film falls somewhere between medical procedural and contagion film as scientists and activists try to identify the AIDS virus and overcome systemic/bureaucratic hurdles. Plus: villainous Alan Alda; tension in the editing bay; and questioning the representation of queers who want to keep the bathhouses open Seen the film or want to hear more details? Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze for ~21.5 more minutes of spoiler-heavy discussion. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Blue Film (2025) | 08 May 2026 | 00:13:02 | |
Conrad and Joe checked out Elliot Tuttle's feature directorial debut and we had to record our spoiler-free thoughts on the film. C/W: Sexual Abuse Starring Kieron Moore and Reed Birney as a camboy and his older client, this intimate "delicious onion film" is a dialogue heavy two-hander that is controversial, challenging, and confronting. We *highly* recommend it. Seen the film or want to hear more details? Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze for our spoiler-heavy discussion on Tuesday Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Zero Patience (1993) | 07 May 2026 | 00:21:12 | |
Conrad and Joe travel BACK to Canada for John Greyson's New Queer cinema entry Zero Patience (1993), a musical about the Quebec flight attendant scapegoated for bringing AIDS to North America. Plus: the use of real historical figures; assigning blame for the disease; and the first of two appearances this theme by actor Michael Callen (playing Miss HIV) Seen the film or want to hear more details? Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze for ~23 more minutes of spoiler-heavy discussion. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| An Early Frost (1985) | 23 Apr 2026 | 00:23:43 | |
Joe and Conrad kick off a new theme on 'HIV and AIDS' with a look at the earliest text to discuss the disease: An Early Frost from 1985. NBC's made-for-TV film is something of a marvel considering advertisers wouldn't touch it. Thankfully audiences, awards bodies and an all-star cast had no problem! Plus: Aidan Quinn's lead performance, the lack of intimacy between Michael and his partner Peter, and how the film may be more about straight people than queer people... Seen the film or want to hear more details? Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze for ~21 more minutes of spoiler-heavy discussion. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Sex Work and Pornography Wrap-Up | 13 Apr 2026 | 00:12:11 | |
After six films, Conrad and Joe wrap up our 'Sex Work and Pornography' theme by revisiting common threads and themes, our favourite discoveries, and the titles we'd most recommend to listeners. Want more content? Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze for bonus episodes Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Sauvage (2018) | 09 Apr 2026 | 00:20:42 | |
Conrad and Joe wrap up our theme with Camille Vidal-Naquet's 2018 film Sauvage ('Wild'), a purportedly "judgement-free" documentary-style, gritty depiction of 'Sex Work and Pornography.' The trauma porn narrative, however, feels pretty moralistic to us! Plus: comparisons to 2024's Baby; Félix Maritaud's "brave" central performance; Léo and Ahd's interesting relationship; and a tease of why Félix and Claude's romance doesn't work. Seen the film or want to hear more details? Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze for ~21 more minutes of spoiler-heavy discussion. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Pillion (2025) | 26 Mar 2026 | 00:20:10 | |
Conrad and Joe hit pause on 'Sex Work and Pornography' to discuss one of 2025's biggest queer films: Harry Lighton's Pillion (2025). It may surprise you to discover that we're ambivalent about the film! We don't entirely understand its reception as a romance, especially given how disaffecting (and possibly abusive) the central relationship is. Plus: adaptation changes from Adam Mars-Jones's novella Box Hill; fantastic lead performances; Conrad's theatrical experience; and the moments of comedy that work Seen the film or want to hear more details? Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze for ~23.5 more minutes of spoiler-heavy discussion. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Baby (2024) | 12 Mar 2026 | 00:25:39 | |
The second to last entry in our 'Sex Work and Pornography' theme is Brazilian director Marcelo Caetano's Baby (2024) about a newly released convict who is introduced to a life of sex work by an older man. From cruising spots to the intersection of sex & drugs, this beautiful film features a great debut performance by João Pedro Mariano as the title character. But there are a few elements, such as the contrived last act conflict, that don't entirely work for us. Seen the film or want to hear more details? Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze for ~15 more minutes of spoiler-heavy discussion. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Sebastian (2024) | 26 Feb 2026 | 00:22:44 | |
Conrad and Joe check out Sebastian, the sophomore effort of Mikko Mäkelä (see previous episode on A Moment in the Reeds) which concerns a writer, Max (Ruaridh Mollica), who uses his sex work as fodder for his "fiction" writing. It's an intriguing concept, though the film occasionally loses focus on what it wants to explore. Plus: Conrad's displeasure at the film's end, a third act tonal shift, and debate about how self-aware the film is about what a gay film can and can't focus on. Seen the film or want to hear more details? Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze for ~21 more minutes of spoiler-heavy discussion. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Mysterious Skin (2005) | 12 Feb 2026 | 00:23:52 | |
The next entry in our 'Sex Work and Pornography' theme is Gregg Araki's masterful 2005 adaptation of Scott Heim's devastating novel Mysterious Skin. Starring a grown-up Joseph Gordon Levitt and a pre-Oscar winning director Brady Corbet, the film examines two very different responses to childhood sexual abuse (C/W). Plus: praising Michelle Trachtenberg, the strategic way Araki worked with the child actors, and why Neil's storyline is more intriguing than Brian's. Seen the film or want to hear more details? Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze for ~36 more minutes of spoiler-heavy discussion. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Eastern Boys (2013) | 29 Jan 2026 | 00:24:56 | |
It's a Conrad pick as our theme on 'Sex Work and Pornography' continues with Robin Campillo’s genre hybrid, Eastern Boys (2013). The film tackles several uncomfortable subjects, including a significant age gap between client and sex worker, an incredibly tense home invasion-style "party" and a challenging protagonist in Daniel (Olivier Rabourdin). Plus: shifting genres, a dialogue-free opening, and the moment Joe had to jump ahead because he couldn't stand the tension. Seen the film or want to hear more details? Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze for ~27 more minutes of spoiler-heavy discussion. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Tell Me Everything (2026) | 26 Jan 2026 | 00:16:19 | |
Conrad and Joe check out writer/director Moshe Rosenthal's exquisite 80s throwback, which played Sundance 2026. Featuring incredible performances across the board, this 5 star film about a tumultuous father/son relationship feels extremely Pedro Almodovar-coded. It's one to watch when it becomes available! Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze for bonus content on our other titles. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| King Cobra (2016) | 15 Jan 2026 | 00:24:26 | |
We're kicking off a new theme, 'Sex work and Pornography', with Justin Kelly's 2016 true crime adaptation, King Cobra (2016) which tells the story of underage porn star Brent Corrigan and the murder of Bryan Kocis (here named Stephen). Starring Christian Slater (superb) and James Franco (ick) as predatory older gay men, the film is stylish, but hollow. Bonus points for Molly Ringwald and Alicia Silverstone, though! Seen the film or want to hear more details? Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze for 24 more minutes of spoiler-heavy discussion. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| The Plague (2025) feat. Trace Thurman | 02 Jan 2026 | 00:24:57 | |
Conrad and Joe are joined by Horror Queers' Trace Thurman to discuss Charlie Polinger's debut feature, The Plague (2025). Expect plenty of discussion about pre-teen bullying, queer-coding, and body horror as we're collectively triggered by this story about hazing rituals gone awry at an all-boy water polo camp. Plus: praising Kayo Martin as central antagonist Jake, Joel Edgerton's useless Coach, and debate about how rarely (or not!) this kind of story is told. Seen the film or want to hear more details? Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze for a ~33 minute bonus spoiler-heavy discussion. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Stranger By The Lake (2013) | 25 Dec 2025 | 00:21:44 | |
For our final 'Cruising' entry, we've returned to France to discuss Alain Giraudie's Stranger By The Lake (2013). It's one of Joe's favourite contemporary texts, but what did Conrad think of his time watch? Plus: unsimulated sex, naturalistic sound design, Henri's separation, and the lake as a gay utopia Seen the film or want to hear more details? Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze another ~23 minutes of spoiler-heavy discussion. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Birder (2023) | 11 Dec 2025 | 00:27:03 | |
Our second last 'Cruising' title arrives in the form of Nate Dushku's feature directorial debut, Birder (2023). Prepare for innuendos abound courtesy of Amnon Lourie's screenplay, which is brought to life by charming chameleon Michael Emery in the lead role. Plus: queer diversity, and why Conrad and Joe feel differently about David Sachs' father figure Miles Seen the film or want to hear more details? Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze another ~25 minutes of spoiler-heavy discussion. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Spa Night (2016) | 27 Nov 2025 | 00:21:07 | |
Our 'Cruising' theme continues with Andrew Ahn's feature directorial debut, Spa Night (2016) which follows David, a second generation Korean-American living in Los Angeles, as he struggles to make a human connection. This is a beautiful film, although David's near passivity could prove frustrating to some. Good thing Joe Seo is a captivating performer! Seen the film or want to hear more details? Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze another 23:03 minutes of spoiler-heavy discussion. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Cactus Pears (2025) | 20 Nov 2025 | 00:20:56 | |
We're venturing to rural India to discuss Rohan Kanawade's feature directorial debut, Cactus Pears / Sabar Bonda (2025). This heartfelt romantic drama follows Anand (Bhushaan Manoj), an out gay man in Mumbai, as he returns home for the 10 day mourning ceremony following his father's death, reconnects with his hunky neighbour Balya (Suraaj Suman), and dodges invasive questions about his personal life from relatives. Seen the film or want to hear more details? Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Cruising (1980) | 13 Nov 2025 | 00:31:32 | |
Hold onto your jockstrap because we're hunting a serial killer in the Big Apple with William Friedkin's Cruising (1980). Starring a 39-year old Al Pacino as an ambitious young police officer going undercover in New York's leather scene, the film - which was picketed by the queer community at the time - has aged well thanks to its ambiguity. Plus: debate about the success of Pacino's performance, the meaning of the end, inserting pornography into the murder sequences, and why you don't need to seek out James Franco's Interior.Leather.Bar Seen the film or want to hear more details? Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze another ~22 minutes of spoiler-heavy discussion. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| The Captive (2025) | 03 Nov 2025 | 00:22:05 | |
Our final preview of coming attractions from TIFF 2025 hails from queer Spanish director Alejandro Amenábar as he tackles the infamous story of Don Quixote writer Miguel de Cervantes' time imprisoned in Algier. Starring Disney Channel star Julio Peña in the lead, The Captive is an expensive period piece that follows Cervantes' efforts to develop his skills as a storyteller, execute a daring prison escape and (maybe?) fall in lust/love with The Bey, Hasán Bajá (Alessandro Borghi). While we agree on the interesting way that religion (both Christianity and Islam) are portrayed in the narrative, Conrad and Joe differ in our readings of Cervantes' sexuality and the way the film ends. Which way do you folks land? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| The History of Sound (2025) | 01 Nov 2025 | 00:12:15 | |
The History of Sound (streaming on Mubi) is the new film from Moffie director Oliver Hermanus and stars Josh O'Connor and Paul Mescal as 1920s music students falling in love while they collect samples of American folk music. It's a beautiful film with great chemistry between the leads, but Joe and Conrad aren't entirely satisfied by the way the narrative plays out, the runtime, and the deliberate lack of sex. Want to hear our spoiler-filled thoughts? Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze for another ~20 minutes of spoiler-heavy discussion. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Plainclothes (2025) | 30 Oct 2025 | 00:18:27 | |
Our 'Cruising' theme continues with writer/director Carmen Emmi's 2025 film Plainclothes, starring Tom Blyth and queer actor Russell Tovey. The period film follows undercover NY police officer Lucas, whose job is to entrap queer men in a public bathroom so they can be arrested. The issue? Lucas is struggling with his own sexuality, which is only exacerbated when he falls for Andrew, who has his own secrets to protect. Topics include: internalized homophobia, more beards, awkward family dinners, and a frustrating/unnecessary visual motif. Seen the film or want to hear more details? Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze another ~27 minutes of spoiler-heavy discussion. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| A Private Life (2025) | 28 Oct 2025 | 00:13:20 | |
Our fifth preview of coming attractions from this year's TIFF features bilingual queer icon Jodie Foster, as an American psychoanalyst in Paris who becomes convinced one of her patients was murdered. A Private Life (Vie Privée) is a scintillating psychological thriller with a dash of French farce, as Lilian (Foster) becomes an amateur sleuth with her lovable ex-husband Gabriel (Daniel Auteuil), and a side order of fantasy, as hypnotically induced memories of past lives add a layer of further mystery to the soirée. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| At the Place of Ghosts (2025) & Mārama (2025) | 20 Oct 2025 | 00:14:08 | |
Our TIFF coverage continues with two horror-inflected films centring indigenous characters, using hauntings as a method of exploring generational and personal trauma. In Bretten Hannam's At the Place of Ghosts (Sk+te'kmujue'katik), two estranged Mi’kmaw brothers journey into the Canadian woods to avenge spirits that haunt them from their childhood. Meanwhile, Taratoa Stappard's Mārama, follows a Māori woman who travels from freshly colonised New Zealand to a creepily gothic English manor in the Yorkshire moors to uncover secrets about her family's past. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Beach Rats (2017) | 16 Oct 2025 | 00:23:24 | |
To kick off our 'Cruising' theme, we're checking out writer/director Eliza Hittman's Beach Rats (2017) featuring the feature film debut of Harris Dickinson. We've got questions about Frankie's kink (expect talk of 'Daddy' issues) as well as his dependency on drugs and alcohol. Plus: shitty boyfriend behaviour, bad friends, and debate about why the film doesn't inspire an emotional connection. Seen the film or want to hear more details? Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze another ~27 minutes of spoiler-heavy discussion. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Maddie's Secret (2025) | 13 Oct 2025 | 00:13:26 | |
Our second bonus episode of TIFF coverage explores John Early's directorial debut Maddie's Secret (2025), in which the comedian plays a dishwasher who gets her dream of being an influencer at her food content creation company, but reawakens an eating disorder rooted in childhood trauma. Has the first-time director bitten off more than he can chew? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Blue Moon (2025) | 06 Oct 2025 | 00:16:48 | |
Our coverage of this year's Toronto International Film Festival kicks off with a review of Richard Linklater's biopic of Lorenz Hart, starring his 'Before Trilogy' collaborator Ethan Hawke, Margaret Qualley and Andrew Scott. Set on the opening night of Oklahoma!, the smash hit success of his former writing partner, Rogers, and his replacement, Hammerstein, Blue Moon finds Lorenz holding court in Sardi's, indulging in his professional jealousy, self-doubt, and overwhelming admiration for Elizabeth (Qualley). Oh, and is Hart a whip-smart semi-closeted bitchy raconteur? You better believe it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Jongens (2014) | 02 Oct 2025 | 00:20:06 | |
So much for swimming! It turns out the 2014 Dutch film Jongens is actually a track and field 'Sports Gay' film. Directed by Mischa Camp, this beautifully shot made for TV film was so popular that it was eventually shown in theatres and distributed around the world. Plus: Marc's patience with Sieger, motorcycles, and another fair! Seen the film or want to hear more details? Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze another ~18 minutes of spoiler-heavy discussion. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Riley (2023) | 18 Sep 2025 | 00:23:56 | |
Our last true "Sports Gay" entry is American football film Riley (2023) from writer/director Benjamin Howard. The film stars Jake Holley as the titular character, Dakota Riley, a promising high school football player who can't suppress his same sex attraction. The problem (and most interesting aspect of the film) is that his sexuality doesn't "fit" in the narrative that he and his oppressive father/coach have constructed for his future. Plus: issues of consent and strict binaries, more beards, and a holdover from the short that doesn't work in the feature film. Seen the film or want to hear more details? Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze another 24 minutes of spoiler-heavy discussion. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Handsome Devil (2016) | 04 Sep 2025 | 00:21:09 | |
The second entry of our 'Sports Gays' theme is super cute Irish friend-com Handsome Devil (2016). Featuring a great supporting role by Andrew Scott (before he was, you know, "Andrew Scott"). Plus: muddled messages about conformity, 90s vibes, and the cycles of queer issues. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Support the show on Patreon for bonus content on every episode, including ~25 minutes more about this film! Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Griffin in Summer (2024) | 29 Aug 2025 | 00:13:53 | |
Here's a special spoiler-free bonus episode on writer/director Nicholas Colia's feature directorial debut Griffin in Summer (2024) about a 14-year old playwright who develops a crush on the 25 year old burn-out fixing his pool over the summer. It's an exceedingly funny, but surprisingly deep film with a cast that includes Owen Teague, Melanie Lynskey, Kathyrn Newton and exceptional newcomer Everett Blunck. Want to hear more? Check out patreon.com/thequeergaze for an additional ~23-minute discussion. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| In From The Side (2022) | 21 Aug 2025 | 00:25:36 | |
We're kicking off a brand new theme on Sports Gays with In From The Side (2022), the feature film debut of Matt Carter. Co-written by Carter and his partner Adam Silver, this is an intriguing title that asks the audience to identify with an adulterous protagonist. Plus: finding community in sports, white gay issues, and how the film uses rugby. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Support the show on Patreon for bonus content on every episode, including ~26 minutes more on this film alone! Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Saint-Narcisse (2020) | 07 Aug 2025 | 00:30:26 | |
We're closing out our 'Family Drama' theme with Bruce LaBruce's 2020 'twincest' film, Saint-Narcisse. The truth is that this film is much more beautiful, self-aware, and interesting than LaBruce simply trying to court controversy. Plus: French vs English acting, ties to Saint Sebastian, and the film's shadow-banning by Amazon. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Support the show on Patreon for bonus content on every episode, including 24 minutes more about this film! Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Unicorns (2024) | 25 Jul 2025 | 00:17:51 | |
Here's a special spoiler-free bonus episode on James Krishna Floyd and Sally El Hosaini's Unicorns (2024), about an Essex bloke Luke (Ben Hardy) who falls for drag queen Aysha (Jason Patel). As a romantic drama, there's a lot to like here. But we found the film's refusal to unpack its characters decisions frustrating. Plus: C/W there's a really upsetting moment of violence that completely ruins the film's last act. If you want details, be sure to check out the spoiler-y 25 minute discussion on Patreon (patreon.com/thequeergaze) for more. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Moonlight (2016) | 24 Jul 2025 | 00:23:57 | |
We're continuing our 'Family Drama' theme with a look at Barry Jenkins' Oscar winning film, Moonlight (2016) - a triptych dedicated to a specific queer, Black experience that is nonetheless undeniably universal. Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Support the show on Patreon for bonus content on every episode, including 26 minutes more about this film! Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| C.R.A.Z.Y. (2005) | 10 Jul 2025 | 00:28:16 | |
We're continuing our 'Family Drama' theme with a look at Quebec director Jean-Marc Vallée's 70s-set coming of age/coming out film, C.R.A.Z.Y. (2005). It's a visually stunning film, filled with needle drops, and a fantastic lead performance by Marc-André Grondin. Plus: Tupperware witches, baptism transitions, the Quiet Revolution and more! Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us Support the show on Patreon for bonus content on every episode, including 21 minutes more about this film! Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze. Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||