Desire isn’t just a feeling, it’s also a shape, a silhouette traced in the air with smoke, an empty, aching border waiting to be filled in. And once you slake desire, it’s gone—it has transformed into something else, something more solid than a question mark but a lot less interesting. Luca Guadagnino’s Queer explores the complex nature of desire through the character Bill Lee, played by Daniel Craig. Set in postwar Mexico City, Lee navigates his sexual adventures and encounters a captivating young man, Eugene Allerton. Their relationship unfolds through a trip to South America, filled with longing, neediness, and a quest for self-discovery.
Courtesy of A24
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Despite its sensual and explicit nature, Queer explores deeper themes of longing and spiritual fulfillment through Craig’s captivating performance as Lee. Guadagnino’s visually stunning film delves into the complexities of human desire and connection in a time where true identity could have dire consequences. Craig’s portrayal of a man torn between pleasure and love is both raw and tender, leaving audiences with a haunting sense of yearning and self-discovery.