The Boyfriend Netflix. 4 stars
Having now watched four queer dating shows in a row for STUN, I consider myself somewhat of a genre aficionado. The format usually follows a familiar track: girl meets girl or boy meets boy, they kiss, try to get to know each other, maybe move on to someone else with the usual drama, rivalry, and mandatory coming-out stories. We pick favourites, sometimes swap them, laugh, cry and enjoy the ride, knowing it’s not expanding our minds in any significant way but still a fun distraction. The Boyfriend, however, not only upends the format but kind of the whole genre.
Unlike most dating shows, The Boyfriend centres on contestants who are shy, nervous and genuinely themselves, avoiding the typical loud, drama-seeking personalities. There’s little rivalry, drama or tiffs and it’s hard to pick favourites because they’re all decent, engaged and kind-hearted people. The focus is less on romantic fireworks and more on real, emotional connections that unfold slowly and authentically. Their vulnerability and sincerity set the show apart from the highly manufactured, often exaggerated nature we’ve come to expect from reality TV. You feel like you’re watching real people, not contestants playing for the cameras.
“Boring!” you say? Not at all. The Boyfriend is some of the warmest, most human and emotional TV I’ve watched in ages. The genuine emotions on display are so touching that it draws you in, despite the show’s slower pace. I’ve never been to Japan but if these are the kind of humans that populate the country, sign me up for citizenship!
Another standout is how beautifully it showcases Japanese culture—food, rituals, values and mannerisms. The men value attentiveness, collaboration and respect over romantic attraction, forming bonds rooted in mutual respect and understanding. It’s these cultural subtleties that add a deeper layer to the viewing experience, making it about more than just dating. Like I said, it’s nearly impossible to pick favorites but Dai and Shun’s journey is sure to melt even the hardest of hearts.
If there’s one jarring element, it’s the cutaways to the show’s five loud, camp judges. At first, their commentary feels out of place but even they eventually earn their spot. In these cynical, divided times, it’s refreshing to see a reality show where contestants are decent, caring and community-spirited. The Boyfriend might just be essential viewing.
Crossing Mubi. 4.5 stars
Back in the day I used to go to the local independent cinema weekly and watch a subtitled film from some far-flung place because… well, those films were being made and independent cinemas were showing them. Both seem rare nowadays. Crossing is exactly the kind of film I used to see. The second feature by writer/director Levan Akin (if you haven’t seen his wonderful debut And Then We Danced, do check it out), it is a remarkable story of a retired school teacher, Lia, who, after the death of her sister, goes in search of her trans niece, crossing the border from Georgia to Turkey in order to do so. Along for the ride is Achi, a young man from an abusive home, who claims to know Lia’s niece’s whereabouts but is really just trying to escape his awful circumstances. In Istanbul, we also meet a disparate group of other characters whose own stories join up with Lia and Achi’s to create a richly human story about identity, acceptance, and the bonds that form between unlikely companions.
The performances are outstanding, especially the magnetic Mzia Arabuli as Lia, whose quiet strength and resilience anchor the film. Her nuanced performance captures the emotional complexities of a woman grappling with grief while navigating unfamiliar, often hostile environments. Equally compelling is the chemistry between Arabuli and Rati Tsiteladze, who plays Achi with raw vulnerability. Akin’s sensitive direction creates a deeply empathetic portrait of people in search of connection and understanding and the film’s cinematography captures both the beauty and the isolation of their journey. Crossing is a powerful exploration of love, connection and survival across borders. This is a profound, human and wonderfully compassionate movie that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
Critic’s choice
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
Stan, Prime Video, Apple TV, Google TV and YouTube. 5 stars
It’s hard to believe The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is 30 years old. Not just because it feels like yesterday but because so few films have been as celebratory and unabashedly queer since.
In 1994, LGBTQ+ representation in Australia was scarce. Molly Meldrum was still in the closet. Neighbours and Home and Away had no prominent gay characters. We couldn’t marry, had to get an HIV test for a mortgage, couldn’t donate blood and even had to tell the dentist that we’re gay. Homophobia was deeply ingrained in both culture and institutions with public figures like Pauline Hanson and Rev. Fred Nile amplifying anti-queer rhetoric.
Then came Priscilla, bursting onto the screen in all its flamboyance, joy and glitter. The film follows drag queens Mitzi and Felicia and a transgender woman Bernadette as they travel across the Australian outback in a bus called Priscilla.
Finally, queer people had a film that celebrated our own characters with depth, humanity and humour. The portrayal of drag culture and transgender identity was groundbreaking and joyful. The film wasn’t just a hit in Australia; it became a global success, launching the careers of Guy Pearce and Hugo Weaving. For a moment, it seemed like queer culture had crossed into the mainstream.
But despite Priscilla’s success, the floodgates to more queer expression didn’t open. Queer cinema is still rare and globally successful queer films are even rarer.
With a sequel in the works, we can only hope it recaptures the joy and significance of the original. In today’s climate, with rising transphobia and drag queen bashing, we need that celebration and a cultural course-correction more than ever.
Reviewed by Sean Cook
