Daniel Craig's new romantic drama makes for an unexpected perfect double bill with director Luca Guadagnino's previous movie Challengers

EntertainmentMoviesDrama MoviesDaniel Craig’s new romantic drama makes for an unexpected perfect double bill with director Luca Guadagnino’s previous movie ChallengersWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. EntertainmentMoviesDrama MoviesDaniel Craig’s new romantic drama makes for an unexpected perfect double bill with director Luca Guadagnino’s previous movie ChallengersWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: A24) Two Luca Guadagnino movies in one year? 2024 is spoiling us. Queer, the director’s follow-up to Challengers, however, is a different tube of tennis balls entirely, despite re-teaming with screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes, composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, and cinematographer Sayombhu Mukdeeprom for his latest film. Big Screen SpotlightShining a light on the under-the-radar theatrical releases that you need to know about, with a new article every Friday Big Screen Spotlight Shining a light on the under-the-radar theatrical releases that you need to know about, with a new article every Friday Shining a light on the under-the-radar theatrical releases that you need to know about, with a new article every Friday (Image credit: A24) The harder Lee tries, the more it seems to push Allerton away. Throughout the film, windows and panes of glass constantly create distance between bodies, both in real life and surreal dream sequences. If the eyes are the windows to the soul, then even the glasses Lee and Allerton both wear add an extra degree of separation between the pair. During their time in the rainforest, Lee and Allerton encounter Lesley Manville’s eccentric and reclusive scientist Dr. Cotter, an expert on yage. She tells Lee that a door has already opened and he can’t close it, he can only look away. She’s referring to use of the drug, but the statement also applies to his queerness and desire. “I’m not queer, I’m disembodied,” Lee says at one point, looking away from who he is, but also inadvertently revealing that his quest for another person is also a quest for a sense of self. Big Screen Spotlight(Image credit: A24)A surreal new drama with a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score from the director of one of my favorite films is now out – and it should definitely be on your weekend watchlist Big Screen Spotlight (Image credit: A24)A surreal new drama with a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score from the director of one of my favorite films is now out – and it should definitely be on your weekend watchlist (Image credit: A24) A surreal new drama with a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score from the director of one of my favorite films is now out – and it should definitely be on your weekend watchlist In Challengers, the central trio’s sexualities are inextricably bound up in their love of tennis, and there’s a similar connection in Queer between Lee’s desire and drug usage – both his experimentation with yage and his heroin addiction. In both films, sex is both a stand-in for a seemingly unrelated fixation in their protagonists' lives and also something that goes hand-in-hand with that obsession. One thing can’t exist without the other. So, while Queer and Challengers may look like very different movies on the surface (there are no psychedelic sequences in Challengers, for one thing), the two films are actually natural bedfellows (no pun intended) in Guadagnino’s filmography. As a director, he’s an expert on desire, love, and sensuality, whether that’s on the tennis court or in a sweaty hotel room in Mexico City. Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox Queer is out now. For more on what to watch, check out the rest of ourBig Screen Spotlightseries. 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action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5 Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”