Meet the Hot Men of 'Queer'

Frank J. Avella READ TIME: 9 MIN.

Omar Apollo and Drew Starkey are seen at Hotel Excelsior during the 81st Venice International Film Festival on September 03, 2024 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Victor Boyko/Getty Images)

His film is based on the Beat generation novella by William S. Burrough ("Naked Lunch"), written in the early 1950s but published in 1985. The script is written by "Challengers" scribe Justin Kuritzkes. Set in Mexico City, the story centers on gay American ex-pat Lee (Daniel Craig), who spends most of his time consuming large quantities of alcohol, shooting up heroin, and hitting on young men. He becomes obsessed with ex-Navy serviceman Eugene Allerton (Drew Starkey) who initially appears indifferent but gives in to Lee's seduction. Is he queer? Curious? Or just bored?

The cast is peppered with sexy dudes like Omar Apollo, who appears completely nude as one of Lee's many hook-ups, and Ariel Schulman as the ever-present man behind the bar, Tom Weston.

Michael Borremans, Andra Ursula, Henrique Zaga and Colin Bates attend the "Queer" red carpet during the 81st Venice International Film Festival on September 03, 2024 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)

Thesps Colin Bates and Henrique (Henry) Zaga appear together in an early sequence with Craig, belittling him. They play Tom Williams and Winston Moor, respectively–two buddies, married to women, who are traveling south to build a boat. "I think we were closeted gay men...even though we don't like queers," Bates says, laughing at the irony. A few of their other scenes ended up on the cutting room floor. (FYI, the original cut delivered to the Venice Film Fest committee ran over 3 hours. The final release cut clocked in at 135 minutes).

A horny Jason Schwartzman, in a fat suit, as Lee's friend Frank, is also on hand, mostly for comic relief. And a hilarious Drew Droege, the actor and writer best-known for his hilarious impersonations of Chloë Sevigny, who makes so devastatingly cutting asides.

Here are just some of the hot men of "Queer."


by Frank J. Avella

Frank J. Avella is a proud EDGE and Awards Daily contributor. He serves as the GALECA Industry Liaison and is a Member of the New York Film Critics Online. His award-winning short film, FIG JAM, has shown in Festivals worldwide (figjamfilm.com). Frank's screenplays have won numerous awards in 17 countries. Recently produced plays include LURED & VATICAL FALLS, both O'Neill semifinalists. He is currently working on a highly personal project, FROCI, about the queer Italian/Italian-American experience. He is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild. https://filmfreeway.com/FrankAvella https://muckrack.com/fjaklute

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