Luca Guadagnino‘s Queer marks a rare misstep for the director, whose previous works often blend emotional nuance with bold stylistic choices. Here, his signature flair feels disjointed, leaving the movie struggling to find its footing between fragmented chapters and mismatched performances. While Queer does boast a few clever moments and ambitious ideas, it ultimately falters in its execution, making it one of Guadagnino’s least cohesive films.
The story follows Lee (Daniel Craig), an expatriate navigating 1950s Mexico City, whose infatuation with the younger Eugene Allerton (Drew Starkey) forms the crux of the narrative. Both Craig and Starkey seem to inhabit different tonal universes in their performances, which undercuts the emotional resonance of their dynamic. Craig’s portrayal of Lee—a desperate, aging man clinging to fleeting youth—is compelling in its smarminess without veering into outright distastefulness. However, Starkey’s Allerton is underdeveloped, reduced to little more than a pretty face with little depth to justify Lee’s obsessive pursuit. This imbalance makes it difficult for the viewer to invest in their relationship or its implications.
Queer opens and closes with promise, bookending its uneven narrative with sequences that hint at Guadagnino’s usual brilliance. The film’s introduction, where Lee prowls the humid, vibrant streets of Mexico City in search of fleeting connections, captures a palpable sense of place and character. Craig’s performance shines here, painting Lee as both pitiable and oddly magnetic. The third act, where the narrative veers into surreal territory with Lee and Allerton experimenting with a hallucinogenic yagé plant, injects some much-needed energy. Guadagnino channels David Lynch-esque absurdity, crafting indulgent, bizarre visuals that offer a brief glimpse into a more compelling film buried within Queer’s muddled structure.
Unfortunately, the middle portion of the film—their aimless backpacking adventure through South America—drags significantly. These scenes feel more like narrative detours than vital components of the story, sapping the film of momentum. Starkey’s underwhelming performance doesn’t help; while Craig’s Lee is clearly grappling with existential questions, Allerton remains an enigma, leaving their interactions hollow. The lack of chemistry and meaningful development between the two characters makes this section feel like a missed opportunity.
The film’s cryptic conclusion—featuring a dreamlike sequence where Lee envisions playing a dangerous game of William Tell with Allerton—leans heavily into Guadagnino’s experimental instincts. While visually striking, these moments feel more derivative than inspired, with the Lynchian influences almost overshadowing Guadagnino’s voice. The ambiguity is intriguing but ultimately unsatisfying, as it doesn’t tie the narrative threads together in a meaningful way.
Comparisons to Guadagnino’s other 2024 release, Challengers, are inevitable, and they highlight Queer’s shortcomings. Where Challengers brims with energy, sensuality, and star power, Queer feels insular and overly cryptic. While the two films showcase Guadagnino’s range, Queer lacks the clarity and cohesion needed to fully engage its audience. Its fragmented storytelling and uneven performances make it difficult to connect with its characters or fully appreciate its more experimental flourishes.
Queer is not without its merits—Craig’s performance and Guadagnino’s visual sensibilities prevent it from being a total misfire—but it ultimately feels like a missed opportunity. As a follow-up to Challengers, it pales in comparison, leaving viewers with an uneven and often frustrating experience. For all its ambition, Queer struggles to find its voice, making it one of Guadagnino’s least successful efforts.
Score: 4/10
Queer (2024)
- Cast: Daniel Craig, Drew Starkey, Jason Schwartzman, Lesley Manville
- Directors: Luca Guadagnino
- Genre: Drama, Romance
- Runtime: 138 minutes
- Rated: R
- Release Date: December 13, 2024
More Movies Directed by Luca Guadagnino
Luca Guadagnino has directed the following movies:
- I Am Love (2009)
- A Bigger Splash (2015)
- Call Me By Your Name (2017)
- Suspiria (2018)
- Bones and All (2022)
- Challengers (2024)
- Queer (2024)
More Movies Starring Daniel Craig
Daniel Craig has starred in the following movies:
- Munich (2005)
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
- Logan Lucky (2017)
- Knives Out (2019)
- Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022)
- Queer (2024)
