Daniel Craig's High Profile Film 'Queer' Will Arrive in Time for the Holidays
Daniel Craig as William Lee in 'Queer'
A24
It was December 2022 when director Luca Guadagnino, best known for films like Call Me By Your Name, Bones and All, and Challengers, announced his next film would be a film adaptation of the William S. Burroughs novel Queer, with Daniel Craig (James Bond) in the lead. Queer, which was written from 1951-1953 but not published until the mid-1980s, may not be as famous as Burrough's seminal novel, Naked Lunch; however, it is well-known as one of his semi-autobiographical works, the follow-up to Burrough's heroin-chic novel Junkie, the one where he finally isn't on drugs.
The role makes a lot of sense for Craig, who is working overtime to put his years as James Bond behind him. His primary vehicle for that is starring as Beniot Blanc, a nu-school take on Hercules Poirot, in Rian Johnson's Knives Out film franchise. However, peppering in roles like this solidifies that he's no longer a womanizing spy in blockbusters but an indie artist willing to play an aging LGBTQ+ former addict. Add in an Academy favorite like Guadagnino directing, based on a critically lauded novel by a well-decorated writer, and this A24-backed release has awards season written all over it.
A24 is getting this film up for Oscar voters; so far, it's played at Cannes, Venice, and Toronto and will soon be featured at the 2024 London Film Festival. The U.S. premiere date is also strategically positioned for award bodies to see it just before voting, opening in limited release at the end of November.
Here's the film's synopsis:
Set in 1950s Mexico City, Queer follows William Lee, an American ex-pat in his late forties, as he leads a solitary life amidst a small American community. However, the arrival in town of Eugene Allerton, a young student, stirs William into finally establishing a meaningful connection with someone.
Craig costars alongside Drew Starkey (Mercy Street), Lesley Manville (Moonflower Murders), Jason Schwartzman (Megalopolis), Ariel Schulman (Family Tree), Henry Zaga (The Stand), Drew Droege (Your Honor), David Lowery (A Ghost Story), plus artists Michael Borremann and Andra Ursuța in their debut on-screen roles.
The film was written for the screen by Justin Kuritzkes (Challengers) and adapted from the novel of the same name by legendary American writer William S. Burroughs. Luca Guadagnino (Call Me By Your Name) directs.
Queer will arrive in limited release in the U.S. on Thanksgiving weekend, Friday, November 27, 2024. It can be streamed via rental from Fandango Now if it doesn't play near you.
