Queer

Set in the 1950s, Queer follows William Lee, an American expatriate in his late forties who moves through a quiet, self-contained life among a small circle of fellow Americans in Mexico City. His days pass with measured routines and guarded emotions, until Eugene Allerton, a curious and restless young student, arrives and unsettles the rhythm. Eugene’s presence jolts William out of long standing habits and opens a doorway to a connection he believed was closed to him. As their unlikely bond deepens, the two men navigate longing, risk, and questions of moral boundaries against a backdrop of a tightly knit expatriate enclave. Supporting characters like Doctor Cotter and Joe Guidry watch with sympathy or suspicion, amplifying the drama without melodrama.

Directed by Luca Guadagnino, Queer adapts material derived from William S Burroughs with Justin Kuritzkes handling the screenplay. The film arrives in 2024 as a high profile literary mood piece supported by a budget of $53,400,000. The project mounts star power with Daniel Craig in the lead and a distinguished supporting cast.

Worldwide box office reached about $5,450,715, signaling a modest release that appealed to festival and arthouse audiences rather than broad mainstream cinema. The figure sits alongside a measured critical reception that highlights performances and Guadagnino's direction.

No major nominations are documented for Queer as of this writing. Nevertheless, the performances shine with Daniel Craig portraying William Lee and Lesley Manville as Doctor Cotter, supported by Drew Starkey and Jason Schwartzman. The lack of major awards does not take away from the craft, as the film stakes its claim in mood and character.

Reception and themes: Critics describe a restrained, introspective drama that centers on loneliness, desire, and the moral tensions within a late mid century expatriate community. Guadagnino favors atmosphere over plot, letting the performances shape meaning, and the result is a film that lingers in memory for its honesty and quiet intensity.