Queer Movie Review & Cast: Daniel Craig’s Bold Performance

Queer Movie Review: A Film That Hits Different

Queer is one of those films that doesn’t hold back. It throws you right into the messy, unpredictable life of William Lee, an American guy just trying to get by in 1950s Mexico City. Directed by Luca Guadagnino and based on William S. Burroughs’ semi-autobiographical novel, this movie is raw, intense, and definitely not your typical Hollywood story.

William Lee, played by Daniel Craig, spends his days wandering around bars, drinking too much, and chasing moments of connection with young men. His life is kind of aimless until he meets Eugene Allerton, a younger guy who catches his attention in a way no one else has. Their relationship isn’t the kind you’d call romantic—it’s complicated, full of tension, and sometimes straight-up uncomfortable.

The two of them eventually set off on a trip to the Ecuadorian jungle, chasing after a plant called Yage. This isn’t just some regular plant; it’s rumored to have mind-altering, almost telepathic effects. But, honestly, the journey isn’t really about Yage. It’s about William’s obsession with Eugene and his desperate need for something, anything, to make his life feel whole.

Daniel Craig Like You’ve Never Seen Him

If you still see Daniel Craig as the smooth, badass James Bond, get ready to have your mind changed. This is not the suave, charming spy we’re used to. Craig disappears into the role of William Lee, a man drowning in his own loneliness, using alcohol, drugs, and meaningless encounters to fill the void. He’s messy, unstable, and sometimes downright pathetic, but in a way that feels painfully real.

Craig plays William with a kind of rawness that you don’t see often. He slouches, mumbles, and stares off into the distance like a man lost in his own head. The little moments—the way he grips his drink a little too tight and the way his voice wavers when he talks to Eugene—make his performance unforgettable.

A Film That Feels Like a Fever Dream

Queer isn’t the kind of movie that spells everything out for you. It’s slow, sometimes frustratingly so, and filled with long, quiet moments where nothing much happens. But that’s kind of the point. It pulls you into William’s world, making you feel his isolation, his longing, and his complete inability to connect in a way that matters.

Luca Guadagnino, the director, is known for making movies that feel like art pieces, and this one is no different. He uses long, still shots that make you sit with the discomfort. T

Here are weird, almost surreal moments where you’re not even sure what’s real and what’s just in William’s head. It’s not a flashy film, but it sticks with you in a way that loud, fast-paced movies don’t.

The People Who Bring It to Life

Drew Starkey plays Eugene Allerton, and while his performance is quieter than Craig’s, it’s just as powerful. Eugene is distant, never quite giving William what he wants, and Starkey plays that subtle rejection so well that you can feel it.

He’s not cruel, just indifferent, and that indifference is what makes William’s obsession even more painful to watch.

Then there’s Lesley Manville, who plays Dr. Cotter, a botanist who helps them in their search for Yage. She doesn’t have a huge role, but every scene she’s in adds something extra to the story. She’s like the voice of reason in a world where nothing really makes sense.

Should You Watch It?

Here’s the thing: Queer is not an easy watch. It’s slow, it’s strange, and it doesn’t give you a nice, satisfying ending. But if you’re the kind of person who likes movies that make you think and that sit with you long after they’re over, this one is worth your time.

Daniel Craig gives one of the best performances of his career, completely transforming into a man on the edge of himself. The film’s style and storytelling might not be for everyone, but it’s impossible to ignore.

At the end of the day, Queer isn’t just about one man’s obsession with another—it’s about loneliness, addiction, and the lengths people go to just to feel something real. It’s uncomfortable, it’s raw, and it’s definitely a movie you won’t forget anytime soon.

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1. Is Queer a good film?

Depends on your taste. If you like slow, deep stories, you’ll enjoy it. If you want action or fast drama, maybe not.

2. How explicit is queer?

It has adult themes—drugs, drinking, and some intimate moments—but it’s more about emotions than graphic scenes.

3. Is Queer getting good reviews?

Mixed reactions. Some love its deep story and Daniel Craig’s acting, while others find it too slow.

4. What is Queer about?

A lonely guy in 1950s Mexico City falls for a younger man and follows him on a strange journey for a mystical plant.

5. Is Queer a sad movie?

Yeah, it’s heavy. More about loneliness than big emotional moments, but it sticks with you.