A woman claiming to be the mother of a “Love Island” season 8 star has responded to a Pennsylvania politician who slammed her son, Sean Reifel, for quitting his job as a cop to join the popular reality series. In an Instagram post, the woman cleared the air about Reifel’s appearance on the show, adding that she fully supports the 29-year-old’s decision to join the cast.

@Beth.Bow819 posted a lengthy comment on Instagram, saying she was “disappointed” by Pennsylvania mayor J. William Reynolds’ comments about her son.

“They missed a huge opportunity to make a positive impact,” she wrote. “They did not spend taxpayer dollars to send him to a full academy.”

Her comments come after Reynolds told the media, “Our police department spent a lot of time training and we paid thousands of taxpayer dollars to send him to the police academy. We are disappointed he left as we now have another vacancy in our department that is impossible to fill until next year.”

Reifel Reportedly Came To Pennsylvania Police Department With Years Of Experience

According to Reifel’s mother, the 29-year-old father of one reportedly arrived at the police department with “four years of experience” following his time in Northern California.

“Contra Costa County Sheriff Department paid for him to attend a full academy,” she wrote. “Yes, [the PA department] spent some, but they are making statements that do not tell the whole story.”

She shed a little more light on the situation when she claimed that her son had requested leave time but was denied it upon his arrival in Fiji.

“I think when the mayor or anyone is speaking on something, especially something about another person, it is important to share all the facts,” she continued. “I stand with my son. I support him fully, and I am so proud of him.”

Support Continues To Build For Reifel After The First Two Episodes Of ‘Love Island’ Season 8 Airs

According to The Blast, Reynolds faced significant backlash over his comments, and after @Beth.Bow819 chimed in on the matter, the support for Reifel has only increased.

“She’s actually a queen for this,” someone wrote, while another said, “That’s right, Momma. Come with the facts.”

“Period, cause who the mayor feeling like?” someone else posted. “You don’t have a whole fleet of officers?”

“Regardless, the mayor needed to STFU and mind his business. People can change life paths at any point. He’s just bitter and now looks even worse after coming out. Good luck getting reelected!”

Booted Contestant Offers Apology After Video Of Her Using A Racial Slur Resurfaces

Outside of the “Love Island” villa, Vasana Montgomery, a 25-year-old from Oregon, has broken her silence after being removed from the cast.

Days before the show was set to air on Peacock, shocking videos of Montgomery using a racial slur were shared and posted online.

“I want to address a couple videos from my teen years that have recently resurfaced,” she said in her public apology, according to Variety. “In those videos, I used a racial slur. There is no excuse for it, and I am deeply sorry.”

Montgomery went on to say that she was taking “full responsibility” for her actions before claiming that she’s grown and learned.

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“That growth does not erase my mistake, and I am not asking anyone to excuse it. I believe people should be held accountable for their actions, but I also believe in growth, learning, and becoming better. To anyone I hurt or disappointed, I am truly sorry,” she finished.

‘Love Island’ Alum Offers Advice To The New Cast

Before the start of the season, “Love Island” alum Leah Kateb spoke with The Blast and shared her biggest piece of advice for the new islanders entering the villa.

“Just have fun,” she said. “Be yourself, and don’t take things too seriously. Just enjoy your time.”

New episodes of “Love Island” air on Peacock on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 9 PM ET.

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In just one day since its premiere, Hulu’s new show Not Suitable for Work has already surged through the streaming charts. According to FlixPatrol, the series is now at #4 worldwide, and it’ll likely only continue to rise through the ranks as the week goes on. The series, which has only released three episodes so far, follows “five work-obsessed 20-somethings” in a Friends-style living situation as they fight to maintain a perfect work-life balance in “Manhattan’s most glamorous neighborhood, Murray Hill.”

Behind the series is Mindy Kaling, a TV powerhouse both on and off camera, who just recently released the long-awaited second season of Running Point on Netflix in April. Therefore, Kaling’s new show not only maintains her reign on streaming in 2026, but officially continues the TV trilogy she started back in 2020.

‘Not Suitable for Work’ Is Part of Mindy Kaling’s TV Trilogy

In a recent interview with Good Morning America, Kaling opened up about how Not Suitable for Work is connected to two of her previous projects, Never Have I Ever and The Sex Lives of College Girls. “In my mind, this is the third show in a trilogy of shows that are about my life,” she stated. “Never Have I Ever is about me being in high school, Sex Lives of College Girls was about my time at Dartmouth, and this is this last pivotal time in my youth, which was moving to New York City, being super ambitious and being in your 20s.” As a reminder, Never Have I Ever was first released in 2020 and went on for four seasons until their characters graduated from high school, while The Sex Lives of College Girls premiered over a year later in 2021 and ran for three seasons until its cancellation in May 2025.

In each of the shows, while there isn’t any character named after Kaling specifically, there’s always at least one central Indian-American character who’s ambitious and quirky in their own way, and seen as Kaling’s most faithful portrayal of her experience. In Never Have I Ever, that’s Devi Vishwakumar (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan), while in The Sex Lives of College Girls, the South Asian main character is Bela Malhotra (Amrit Kaur). In Not Suitable for Work, Avantika Vandanapu plays Abhinaya “Abby” Chilukuri, an assistant to a celebrity stylist who’s always terrified of losing her job.

‘Never Have I Ever’ Is Mindy Kaling’s Most Beloved Show

While Not Suitable for Work has just come out, Never Have I Ever set a high bar when it comes to Kaling’s productions. After all, the four-season series was not only a major streaming hit for Netflix, but it also received major critical acclaim at an average 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. From the critics, it’s clear the series nailed key elements of the show, not only showing a hilarious yet honest portrayal of teen years, but shining a light on a flawed yet charismatic lead with Ramakrishnan’s Devi. “It asserts itself with sassy confidence right away, not just in Devi’s voice but in the narrative’s framing,” one review wrote.

Unlike both The Sex Lives of College Girls and Not Suitable for Work, Never Have I Ever thrived because of its larger focus on the lead rather than being a full ensemble show. By doing so, the series honed in on Devi’s life, shining a light on Indian expectations and traditions, second-generation experiences, and the emotional journey with grief she went on after the loss of her father. With that, the series balanced comedy with heart in a way that made it TV gold.

In Collider’s very own review of the show following the Season 2 release, Carly Lane highlighted that Ramakrishnan was indeed the show’s not-so-secret weapon. “Ultimately, a show is only as strong as its lead, and once again, Ramakrishnan proves why she’s the one to build an entire series around, not only in Devi’s most ridiculous and chaotic moments (the show literally describes some of her wildest antics as “pulling a Devi”) but in the scenes that call on her to be quiet, vulnerable, and having to come to grips with the real emotions that drive her to make some confusing and (in true teen fashion) dramatic decisions,” Lane wrote.

With that said, while Kaling’s new show Not Suitable for Work is currently climbing the charts on Hulu and Disney+, perhaps the first series in her TV trilogy, Never Have I Ever, will always be her best. With a quirky yet complicated lead, the series did more than just talk about boy crushes and love triangles, and depicted a heartfelt quintessentially human story instead.

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Release Date

2020 – 2023-00-00

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Showrunner

Lang Fisher

Directors

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Lang Fisher

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• 
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The definition of a cult superhero film, Francis Lawrence and Keanu Reeves‘ 2005 DC adaptation, Constantine, has developed a second life among devotees of its star and ’90s-gothic style — and an upcoming sequel is among the most anticipated in recent superhero memory. Constantine did well at the box office, but seemed to drop off the cultural map after leaving theaters, despite its status as probably the single most visually striking comic book film ever made. Lawrence used it as his calling card for a variety of huge Hollywood projects (ranging from The Hunger Games to Stephen King‘s The Long Walk), but nothing ever approached his work with DC Comics’ John Constantine for sheer visual spectacle.

While many critics at the time dinged the film for its plotting and heavy reliance on visual effects, earning it a 46% Rotten Tomatoes rating, the story is quite different among cinephiles on Letterboxd, where an impressive 40% of viewers rated it at four stars or above. Reeves and Lawrence are on the same page as the film’s fans, and have talked for years about sequel ideas — including some in which they’d swing for the fences in terms of the R-rating. Fans of DC Comics or supernaturally-tinged noir who missed out on Constantine for the past 21 years owe it to themselves to check the film out on HBO Max today.

‘Constantine’ Is One of the Coolest Cinematic Depictions of Demons, Angels, and Hell

Constantine begins like a stylistic cross between an Indiana Jones film and The Exorcist … then proceeds into demonic film noir before ending up entirely its own thing: a confident, hyper-stylized superhero saga begging for sequels. Lawrence embraces a ’90s comic book-goth aesthetic without fear of goofiness, bathing exteriors and interiors alike in Se7en-esque greens, yellows, and browns while every angle that can be canted or birds-eyed tends to be so. Demons and angels alike walk the Earth: demons in the form of winged abominations that burst into embers when hit with holy light, and angels in the otherworldly Tilda Swinton, who gives her all in the role of Gabriel.

There’s a priest besieged by demonic forces until he drinks himself to death, and is then cradled by an enraged and grieving celestial liquor store owner. The film even features a demonic nightclub, reminiscent of the one in Blade, in which patrons literally cannibalize victims on tables and turn white wine into blood. And this is all before Constantine descends into hell itself, which is envisioned as Los Angeles frozen mid-atomic blast, while thousands of sinners and demons alike writhe just beneath the blown-out surface. It’s all bold and beautifully visualized, and should still be catnip to genre enthusiasts today.

And character actor Peter Stormare‘s single, five-minute scene as Satan himself, should be the stuff of legend. Barefoot, dripping tar, and dressed in a crisp, white suit, Stormare’s Satan makes an incredible first impression. Stormare lays on the tics, like inhuman gulping, licking various objects, and twitching with the sheer ecstasy of being evil. This sequence, as Satan tries to take Constantine’s soul, elevates an already terrific picture into something genuinely special.

Keanu Reeves’ Aura Also Does a Lot of Heavy Lifting for ‘Constantine’

Despite Francis Lawrence’s obvious dexterity with visual spectacle and design, Constantine wouldn’t work quite as beautifully without its star. Reeves was already an icon upon its 2005 release from The Matrix trilogy, but he’d yet to don the iconic suit and pistols of John Wick. Still, he brings an unmistakable Wick energy to Constantine, constantly issuing patented, angry Reeves “Yeahs” to demons and angels alike, furiously lighting up at every opportunity, and eventually flipping off the devil.

Reeves manages to bring real pathos with precious little facial work to scenes in which oily black tumors are pulled from his chest, and in which he slices his own wrists in a bid to save a single doomed woman’s life. Watching Constantine today, especially with the hindsight of the John Wick films, it’s clear as day that sequels are warranted. Although it’s been a long road, Reeves and Lawrence have thankfully confirmed that one is finally on its way.

The 2005 Constantine remains a visual masterpiece, and one of the coolest superhero movies ever made. It also stands as a striking reminder of what comic book films could have been over the last two decades, particularly given the run of CGI slop-laden, televisual-looking features we’ve gotten as of late. Anyone who missed out on its demonic charms the first time should catch it now on HBO Max.

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Release Date

February 18, 2005

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Runtime

121 minutes

Director

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Francis Lawrence

Writers

Frank A. Cappello

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Producers

Akiva Goldsman, Benjamin Melniker, Erwin Stoff, Lauren Shuler Donner, Lorenzo di Bonaventura

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CBS Evening News host Tony Dokoupil paid tribute on air to Scott Pelley following his former colleague’s controversial firing from 60 Minutes.

“When I started at CBS, Scott Pelley was in this very chair, and still doing a dozen stories a year for 60 Minutes. And amid all of that, still meeting every new correspondent to share his view of the mission here,” Dokoupil, 45, told viewers in the second of two CBS Evening News segments on Pelley’s firing on Wednesday, June 3. “[Pelley] believed freedom of the press, to quote [James Madison], was ‘the right that guaranteed all the others.’ And the stakes are always that high in that, if you’d made it to CBS News, you were among the best in the world. He worked every single day to live up to that standard.”

Dokoupil looked back on Pelley’s 37 years at CBS, reminiscing about the “presidential interviews” with every leader from George W. Bush to Donald Trump and “more than 50 Emmy awards along the way.”

“[Pelley] was, in some ways, a man from another era, and that’s not a knock. He didn’t watch the competition, he said, because he knew who he was,” Dokoupil went on. “A journalist who valued truth at all costs. And always kept alive the memory of colleagues killed in the field. A reminder that his chosen line of work could be a dangerous one. But Pelley also made one major break from the past. He changed the signs around here. Under the CBS Evening News logo, where Scott Pelley’s own name would have been, he instead wrote the CBS Evening News with All of Us.”

Dokoupil closed the segment by saying, “Well, Scott, from all of us, thank you.”

The glowing tribute to Pelley, 68 — who anchored the CBS Evening News from 2011 to 2017 — was in sharp contrast to other statements from CBS News in the wake of Pelley’s firing earlier this week.

A tumultuous week at CBS News kicked off at a 60 Minutes staff meeting where new executive producer Nick Bilton introduced himself to his team on Monday, June 1. Per multiple reports, Pelley took issue with Bilton’s qualifications during the meeting and accused CBS editor-in-chief Bari Weiss of “murdering” 60 Minutes by inserting political bias.

A leaked memo from Bilton, 49, announced that Pelley was fired the following day. In that memo, Bilton wrote to Pelley that his “antipathy to the future of the show has come through loud and clear.”

“I therefore write on behalf of CBS News, Inc. to inform you that your employment with CBS is terminated for cause effective immediately,” Bilton confirmed.

Following his firing, Pelley broke his silence by accusing the management of CBS of casting aside the news division’s legacy “to curry a moment of favor with the Trump administration.” (Skydance Media, led by Trump ally David Ellison, the son of billionaire Larry Ellison, purchased CBS parent company Paramount last year.)

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Related: CBS Staffers Say ‘Trust’ for Execs Is Gone After Scott Pelley’s Firing

Tensions have escalated at CBS in the wake of 60 Minutes reporter Scott Pelley’s firing. “Morale is terrible throughout the company,” a source exclusively tells Us Weekly. “No one knows what to believe or who is working against them. It has never been like this before. The staff in the newsroom all feel like they […]

“For my part, new management has instructed me to inject falsehoods and bias into a politically sensitive story. I’ve been told to include assertions that are unverified,” Pelley claimed. “To date, in every case, I have managed to ignore these instructions or refuse them. Recently, politicians have been invited to choose correspondents for interviews on the broadcast. Giving politicians control over 60 Minutes interviews is not how this is done. Finally, incompetence and unprofessionalism in the new management have wreaked havoc. In a case involving one of my stories, the entire program came within 19 minutes of not getting on the air at all.”

He went on, “At 60 Minutes, we have fought harder than anyone knows to save the program that became an American icon. We owed that to our millions of viewers. I am deeply moved by the thousands of wishes we have received to ‘keep up the good fight,’” Pelley wrote. “Most of the men and women of CBS News are still in that fight. But now the collapse of values at the top has become untenable. The leadership of 60 Minutes is no longer recognizable. The principles I hold dear are gone, and so I must leave as well.”

CBS News denied that journalists faced political pressure over critical stories of the Trump administration.

Camila Cabello and boyfriend Henry Junior Chalhoub have reportedly called it quits.

Multiple outlets reported that the “Havana” singer, 29, and Chalhoub split after one year of dating. TMZ was first to report the news.

Us Weekly has reached out to Cabello for comment.

The pair were last spotted together in April at Coachella.

Related: Camila Cabello Recaps Coachella After Shawn Mendes PDA: ‘It’s Whatever’

A sly acknowledgement? Camila Cabello recapped her Coachella experience with a series of photos — and a very cheeky caption that may have alluded to her headline-making PDA with ex-boyfriend Shawn Mendes. “It’s whatever,” the “Havana” songstress, 26, wrote via Instagram on Monday, April 17, alongside a carousel of snaps from the Indio, California, music […]

Cabello and Chalhoub — whose family owns Dubai-based luxury fashion distribution company Chalhoub Group — were first linked in November 2024. At the time, the pair were both in attendance at a fashion show afterparty in Saudi Arabia, per Billboard. Two months later, they were spotted getting cozy in St. Barts.

The duo were seen together again in March 2025 when they attended Chanel’s fall/winter 2025 fashion show during Paris Fashion Week.

While Cabello kept her romance with Chalhoub private, the pair seemingly went Instagram official in July 2025. The singer included a post from her and Chalhoub’s trip as they held hands.

“Falling in love. reading fiction for hours. practicing guitar. eating every color of tomatoes, putting my hand out in the car, playing with the wind,” the caption read.

Before Chalhoub, Cabello famously dated friend and collaborator Shawn Mendes. The exes had an on-and-off relationship from 2019 to 2023.

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Related: Camila Cabello Says Shawn Mendes Reconciliation ‘Didn’t Feel Right’

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Yes, Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes attempted to rekindle their relationship — but it was “not a fit” for them to get back together. Cabello, 27, admitted during her “Call Her Daddy” podcast interview on Wednesday, March 6, that things with Mendes, 25, “didn’t feel right” during their brief reconciliation in April 2023. “Luckily, I […]

“I don’t know; people can say whatever they want. They can speculate, but at the same time, we are going to live our own lives, enjoy it and fall for each other like nobody is watching,” Cabello said of her and Mendes’ connection in a 2019 interview with Elle magazine. “That is how I want to live. I never want to open the door for people to feel like they are involved. Like I said, I want it to be mine and [his]. That’s why I’m so tight-lipped about it.”

One year after their 2023 split, Cabello opened up about her and Mendes’ decision to call it quits for good.

“Luckily, I was in a place in my life where it took me less time to realize that. It took us both less time to be like, ‘This doesn’t feel right, and we really don’t need to try so hard to make it work,’” Cabello said during a March 2024 interview on Alex Cooper’s “Call Her Daddy” podcast. “‘It’s all good. This is not feeling good. Let’s be friends. I love you, it’s all good let’s move on, you go do your thing … become the person that you’re becoming, and I’ll root for you.’”

Kathy Hilton will no longer serve as the grand marshal of the West Hollywood Pride Parade due to a backlash from the LGBTQ+ community.

“I am honored to have been considered for this recognition and appreciative of the support I have received from members of the community throughout the years,” Hilton, 67, said in a statement on Wednesday, June 3. “My reason for wanting to be involved in this year’s WeHo Pride weekend was simple: to celebrate, support, and share in the joy of a community that means a great deal to so many people. Pride is, and always will be, about celebrating and uplifting LGBTQ+ voices, experiences, and achievements.”

Her statement went on, “I respect the thoughtful conversations that have taken place and remain deeply committed to supporting LGBTQ+ causes and visibility, including through my participation in GLAAD initiatives and events, and longstanding support of organizations such as the Elton John AIDS Foundation, the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation since its inception, Dr. Mathilde Krim, God’s Love We Deliver, and Project Angel Food.”

“My support for the community and WeHo Pride is unwavering. This monumentally important event has always had a special place in my heart, and I will always cherish the experience I had acting as Grand Marshal of the LA Pride parade with my daughter in 2005,” she continued. “Thank you to everyone who works so hard to make it happen, and I wish the community nothing but love, joy, and a fantastic WeHo Pride weekend.”

Related: Kyle Richards and Kathy Hilton’s Feud Ends: Their Drama Explained

Keeping it in the family? Kyle Richards and Kathy Hilton‘s relationship has seen its fair share of ups and downs over the years — and filming season 12 of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills wasn’t any different. The tension between the sisters came to a head during a cast trip to Aspen in a […]

The City of West Hollywood initially touted Hilton as “a vocal and visible supporter of the community” and credited her with using her “platform to champion LGBTQ+ rights.”

Many disagreed, with the AIDS Memorial’s official Instagram account sarcastically replying via Instagram, “Melania Trump not available?”

“I ask sincerely—what has this lady done for the LGBT+ community??” another commenter asked the City of West Hollywood.

A third Instagram user urged WeHo Pride organizers to cancel the booking, writing, “@wehopride it’s not too late to take this back.”

The City of West Hollywood subsequently clarified that Pride Parade grand marshals are chosen “in recognition of their visibility, allyship, and support for the LGBTQ+ community.”

“Kathy Hilton has publicly supported LGBTQ+ causes and visibility, including through her participation in GLAAD events and initiatives,” a statement from the City added. “At the same time, we acknowledge that concerns raised by West Hollywood residents, stakeholders, and LGBTQ+ community members are important and deserve to be heard. We are listening. We believe that WeHo Pride is strengthened by open dialogue, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to equality and inclusion.”

On Wednesday, a new statement from WeHo Pride addressed Hilton standing down as the grand marshal.

“The City of West Hollywood and WeHo Pride Parade organizers thank Kathy Hilton for her grace and her continued support of the LGBTQ+ community,” their statement read. “Pride has always been strongest when it genuinely reflects the community. WeHo Pride is strengthened by open dialogue, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to inclusion.”

They continued, “The City of West Hollywood remains dedicated to ensuring that WeHo Pride continues to be a joyful celebration rooted in visibility, belonging, and respect, and welcomes ongoing community conversations that help it to evolve while honoring its history and purpose. The WeHo Pride Parade is a celebration of community, and we are proud to welcome nearly 120 parade entries this year. We look forward to a parade and weekend that honors the spirit and extraordinary contributions of the LGBTQ+ community.”

Much of the criticism of Hilton’s involvement in WeHo Pride revolved around her past association with President Donald Trump. While Kathy never publicly stated whether or not she voted for Trump, 79, to be president, she and her husband, Rick Hilton, socialized with the Trumps in the past.

Kathy was also accused of using a homophobic slur towards a DJ while filming a Real Housewives of Beverly Hills trip to Aspen in 2022. During that year’s RHOBH reunion, Erika Jayne said that she personally heard Kathy use an offensive term during an alleged outburst.

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Related: Kyle Richards and Kathy Hilton’s Ups and Downs Over the Years

Kathy Hilton kept her distance from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills until season 11, but that didn’t mean her rocky relationship with Kyle Richards wasn’t a topic of discussion on the Bravo series. When RHOBH premiered in 2010, Kyle was joined by sister Kim Richards — and by the end of the season, the […]

“I see Kathy coming from the dance floor, very upset,” Erika told host Andy Cohen. “I say, ‘Kathy, what’s wrong?’ She says, ‘The DJ’s an old f***ing f**,’ and walked off.”

Kathy denied ever using a homophobic slur, telling Cohen, 58, “I will admit to what I do, but I will not be painted to be this monster. Nobody else heard that, and anyone who knows me knows I don’t talk like that.”

Cohen later confirmed to Us Weekly that Bravo’s investigation into the scandal was inconclusive because “it was a case of she-said, she-said.”

Cinema lovers should always strive to celebrate diversity in film. It might’ve taken long – too long, in fact – but cinema is becoming more inclusive, celebrating stories about every identity in the wide and colorful sexual spectrum. Going back to the New Hollywood Age, stories about LGBTQ+ people have been around, often standing as groundbreaking and pioneering efforts, especially at a time when such films remained controversial and scarce.

Nowadays, representation is much healthier and standardized, with writers, directors, and producers making real and tangible efforts to increase LGBTQ+ presence in mainstream cinema. Fortunately, their efforts have paid off. From certified classics about the seemingly never-ending struggles facing the community to lighthearted comedies about the nuances of gay life, these efforts represent landmark achievements in representation and stand as the best LGBTQ+ films of all time.

35

‘Bottoms’ (2023)

Image via MGM

Taking an LGBTQ+ approach to the classic style of raunchy, over-the-top coming-of-age romcoms that defined the 2000s, Bottoms acts as both a love letter to this classic era of teen movies and a love letter to modern LGBTQ+ film fans. The movie follows unpopular queer best friends PJ and Josie, who, in an attempt to gain some popularity and recognition from the hot girls at their school, decide to start a fight club. While their plan initially works, with the fight club rising in popularity, it doesn’t take long before the vicious jocks become the target of these self-defense lessons, with them going out of their way to destroy the club.

Bottoms feels tailor-made for the more zany, younger audience of LGBTQ+ youth that has grown up with this style of raunchy comedy and wants to see a version that’s both made for them and goes even farther with its chaotic antics. It’s no secret that the film has become an immediate fan favorite among younger, social media-centric film fans, with its relatable characters and instantly quotable dialogue cementing its status as a cult classic for years to come. – Robert Lee

34

‘My Own Private Idaho’ (1991)

Image via Fine Line Features

Gus Van Sant came to the Hollywood scene in the late ’80s as part of the new wave of indie filmmakers about to take over the business.1991’s My Own Private Idaho, a loose adaptation of Shakespeare’s Henry saga, stars the late River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves as two friends on an extensive journey of self-discovery, nostalgia, and coming-of-age.

My Own Private Idaho was a breakthrough at a time when queer cinema was beginning to claim a spot in mainstream cinema. Powered by Phoenix’s quiet, subtle, melancholic performance, My Own Private Idaho is a delicate, introspective, and sad reflection on identity and self-discovery that stands as a pioneering achievement of queer cinema.

33

‘The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love’ (1995)

A beautiful story of love and passion that was a massive rarity among movies during the 90s, The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love follows the blossoming love story between Randy and Evie. Both girls come from completely different worlds and economic classes, yet despite their differences, find themselves helplessly drawn to one another in a beautiful display of passion and romance. Despite the divides and pushback they receive from their community and even their own families, they stick to their guns in the name of this true, unexpected love that they’ve fostered.

While sapphic romances weren’t completely removed from making appearances during the ’90s in film, the culture of the era simply hadn’t grown to be as accepting as it is nowadays. This makes it all the more special that a film like The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love exists, being able to use the strengths of the romantic comedy genre in the ’90s to create an emotional and powerful lesbian love story. While many other films would have their LGBTQ+ relationships as the butt of jokes during the era or treat these characters in a bad light, this film treats this love as something pure, honest, and undeniable. – Robert Lee

32

‘But I’m A Cheerleader’ (1999)

Image via Lionsgate Films

The 1990s were great for campy movies, but few have become as influential for the millennial generation as Jamie Babbit‘s 1999 satirical teen comedy, But I’m a Cheerleader. Natasha Lyonne stars as Megan, a popular girl sent to a conversion camp after her parents suspect her of being a lesbian. Dealing with her sexual identity, Megan becomes close to Graham, a fellow girl at the camp played by Clea DuVall.

Deliciously funny and tongue-in-cheek, But I’m a Cheerleader is a clever and self-aware comedy about the intricacies and struggles of coming out. Opting for a campy approach to a deeply serious subject, the film finds humor in one of the most challenging moments in a queer person’s life, thus finding new power in the experience.

31

‘The Living End’ (1992)

Image via Cineplex Odeon Films

The 1992 drama The Living End is another example of the New Queer Cinema of the 1990s. The plot centers on two men, Luke, a dissatisfied grifter, and Jon, a meek film critic, who embark on a journey of liberation and recklessness after Luke kills a homophobic cop.

Drawing inspiration from Ridley Scott‘s groundbreaking ode to feminism, Thelma and Louise, The Living End was an empowering and disruptive film, especially during the early 90s. The film deals with queer themes crucial at the time, including HIV and homophobia. Sexy, chaotic, and ultimately rewarding, The Living End is an achievement of queer cinema that paved the way for many future films.

30

‘To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar’ (1995)

Image via Universal Pictures

The late Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes, and John Leguizamo star in the 1995 comedy To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar. The plot follows three New York drag queens – Vida, Noxeema, and Chi-Chi – stranded in a small town while traveling to Hollywood.

Along with other films from around the same time, To Wong Foo was a major turning point for queer cinema. Swayze and Snipes were major movie stars known for their conventionally manly roles; seeing them starring in an LGBTQ+ film and spending the entirety of the film in drag was not insignificant. To Wong Foo is far from perfect, a tame and superficial look into drag culture; however, it remains a fun and impressive achievement that successfully brought drag into the mainstream.

29

‘I Saw the TV Glow’ (2024)

Image via A24

One of the most notable and exemplary transgender allegories in the genre, I Saw the TV Glow secures director Jane Schoenbrun’s status as a modern master of LGBTQ+ filmmaking. The film follows the story of anxious teenager Owen, who finds an unexpected refuge and escape from the pains of life through a spooky television show called “The Pink Opaque.” However, as Owen reflects upon his youth and experiences watching the show with his friend, Maddy, the lines between reality and fantasy begin to blur together.

While the film’s LGBTQ+ nature is much more tied to symbolism and themes than direct mention by characters, said symbolism and allegory manage to be so overwhelmingly confident that it’s near-impossible to not notice the film’s transgender themes. The film brilliantly uses the concepts of dysmorphia as fuel for its dread and horror, creating a cycle where its characters feel trapped inside a body and life that isn’t their own, slowly dying as a result. The film will only continue to be a mainstay for modern LGBTQ+ horror, as it has already amassed a massive and dedicated selection of fans. – Robert Lee

28

‘Pink Flamingos’ (1972)

Image via New Line Cinema

John Waters is the arbiter of poor taste. The director is infamous for his inflammatory films that offer a campy, excessive, and often disruptive look at queer culture, mocking traditional values and finding the sweet spot between art, camp, and outright sleaze. Nowhere is this remarkable approach more obvious than in his 1972 classic Pink Flamingos.

The film follows notorious drag queen Divine, the self-described “filthiest person alive,” whose title gets challenged by the Marbles, a pair of cheap criminals. Pink Flamingos is not an easy watch – in fact, many might consider it among the all-time sickest movies. However, there’s plenty to admire in its ballsy approach and desire to willfully challenge conventions and notions about appropriate behavior. Pink Flamingos was a major hit in the underground circuit, helping to build a much-needed sense of community during a particularly challenging time.

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‘The Boys in the Band’ (1970)

Image Via National General Pictures

The 1970 drama The Boys in the Band was a stepping stone in queer cinema’s ongoing journey. Based on Mart Crowley’s eponymous play, the film follows a group of gay men gathering for a party at an Upper East Side apartment. Tensions rise after an unexpected arrival, leading the party into chaos.

Pessimistic, gloomy, and harrowing, The Boys in the Band is not exactly pleasant. However, the film is a major entry in queer cinema, standing as one of the earliest mainstream films to revolve around gay characters. The Boys in the Band offers a decidedly cynical portrayal of the gay community, but its insights into the characters’ self-loathing, doubts, and repression undoubtedly rang true to many in the original 1970s audience – unfortunately, it still rings true today.

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‘The Favourite’ (2018)

Image via Searchlight Pictures

A trio of mighty performers star in the deliciously wicked comedy The Favourite. Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, and Rachel Weisz star in the film about two cunning and manipulative women vying for the attention of the vulnerable, unstable, and fragile Queen Anne of England.

Sharp, unapologetic, biting, and darkly funny, The Favourite is a stellar achievement of modern queer cinema. Strengthened by a trio of titanic performances from its three leads, the film finds the ideal balance between dark comedy, period drama, and timely subtext, resulting in one of the most complex, layered, and outright hilarious queer films in recent memory.