Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sex, nudity, drugs in queer drama based on Burroughs book.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Queer
What's the Story?
Adapted from William S. Burroughs' unfinished semi-autobiographical novel, QUEER follows William Lee (Daniel Craig), who's living in a small expat community in Mexico when he falls for the much younger Eugene Allerton (Drew Starkey), an aloof bisexual student from Oklahoma who just moved to the city. The two go on a quest in a South American jungle to find a plant that's said to deliver mind-bending effects, and what starts out as a crush develops into the love of a lifetime for Lee. But is it as meaningful for Eugene?
Is It Any Good?
This biographical narrative about Beat Generation author William S. Burroughs may be a little too true to his writing style to connect with the majority of viewers. Director Luca Guadagnino uses surrealist techniques that initially hit as brilliant but may eventually alienate audiences. The psychedelic trips and bizarre dreams in Queer—including some body horror—are definitely not for everyone.
But the film is important nonetheless. Craig's fantastic performance makes you feel Burroughs' scratchy discomfort in his own skin and may help viewers realize that the author's decision to write about his internal struggles helped spur progress—and perhaps this film will, too.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether Queer glamorizes drug and alcohol use. Are there realistic consequences? Why does that matter?
How does Queer depict gay characters? How does it compare to other depictions or to typical depictions in Hollywood films?
How do Hollywood's depictions of sex and romance in entertainment shape viewers' own points of view?
Talk about William S. Burroughs and his role in the Beat Generation. How did the authors in that group influence culture?
What is surrealism, and where was it used in this film?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 27, 2024
- On DVD or streaming : January 14, 2025
- Cast : Daniel Craig , Drew Starkey , Lesley Manville , Jason Schwartzman
- Director : Luca Guadagnino
- Inclusion Information : Gay Movie Director(s) , Middle Eastern/North African Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Gay Movie Writer(s) , Queer Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : A24
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Book Characters
- Run time : 135 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong sexual content, graphic nudity, strong drug content, language and brief violence
- Award : Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Nominee
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate