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What's After the Movie?
Biographical drama

Queer (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Queer (2024) movie poster

Queer is a 2024 biographical drama directed by Luca Guadagnino, starring Daniel Craig as William Lee, Drew Starkey and Jason Schwartzman. It is based on Queer by William S. Burroughs and Oliver Harris. It runs 2 hours 15 minutes and earned $7 million worldwide on a $53.4 million budget. It earned 2 award nominations, including Best Actor at the Critics' Choice 2025. Critics gave it 72 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10.

IMDb rating
6.3/10
worldwide gross
$7M
award nominations
2
Echo Score
61
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Queer (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 15m (135 min)
Director
Luca Guadagnino
Original language
English
Budget
$53.4M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Queer About?

The premise of Queer without spoilers, adapted from Queer by William S. Burroughs and Oliver Harris. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

In 1950s Mexico City, William Lee, an American expatriate in his late forties, lives a solitary existence within a small American community. His quiet life is disrupted by the arrival of Eugene Allerton, a young student, who encourages William to seek a meaningful connection with someone.

Queer Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • gay sex
  • gay
  • gay interest
  • older man younger man relationship
  • mexico city
  • male nudity
  • male frontal nudity
  • gay kiss
  • gay character
  • reference to william s. burroughs
  • male full frontal nudity
  • gay film
+38 more
  • gay sex scene
  • gay oral sex
  • gay theme
  • gay seduction
  • gay drama
  • gay blowjob
  • gay bar
  • gay anal sex
  • gay couple
  • gay attraction
  • gay protagonist
  • male pubic hair
  • male rear nudity
  • ayahuasca
  • cobra
  • age discordant relationship
  • american expat
  • female frontal nudity
  • female full frontal nudity
  • queer romance
  • queer cinema
  • queer film
  • queer interest
  • queer character
  • queer history
  • queer relationship
  • lgbtq film
  • american
  • college
  • young
  • man
  • love
  • based on real people
  • period drama
  • drug
  • 20th century
  • 1940s
  • year 1945
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Cast & crew

Queer Cast & Characters

Daniel Craig leads the cast as William Lee, with Drew Starkey as Eugene Allerton and Jason Schwartzman as Joe Guidry. Directed by Luca Guadagnino; 6 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Queer

· 2 more
From the director

More from Luca Guadagnino

More films directed by Luca Guadagnino, best-rated first: Call Me by Your Name, I Am Love, Suspiria and Salvatore: Shoemaker of Dreams.

Full filmography
Ratings

Queer Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Queer 72 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 61/100, strongest in art & craft (75) and weakest in story & flow (45).

61 /100

Queer Echo Score Breakdown

In its overall execution, the film delivers a visually compelling yet narratively uneven experience. Critics and viewers frequently emphasize its striking production design and inventive cinematography alongside Daniel Craig’s commanding performance. However, the pacing often meanders and the script can feel pretentious or incoherent in parts, with musical choices further dividing opinions. The balance of vivid aesthetics and structural unevenness shapes a work that offers memorable moments but may leave some audiences seeking greater narrative cohesion.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of art and craft, the film showcases inventive visual language and meticulous production design. The 35 mm cinematography receives frequent praise for its lush framing and color palette, yet some critics note occasional over-styling and hollow imagery. Overall, the craft work remains distinctive and technically proficient, despite moments of indulgence.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film is anchored by Daniel Craig’s intense performance. His portrayal draws consistent acclaim for its depth and chemistry, while supporting roles receive mixed responses and some viewers find certain characters distancing. In sum, the central emotional core resonates strongly even as secondary figures vary in impact.

  • Story & Flow 45

    In story and flow, the narrative frequently adopts a meandering pace that divides opinion. Several reviewers highlight disjointed segments and coherence gaps, particularly during hallucinatory sequences, while others appreciate fleeting moments of poignant insight. Ultimately, the plot delivers sporadic engagement but struggles to maintain consistent momentum and clarity.

  • Sensory Experience 55

    Regarding sensory experience, the film combines striking visual aesthetics with polarizing audio choices. Viewers commend its detailed set design, color work, and inventive framing, yet the anachronistic soundtrack and occasional sound design decisions attract criticism. Overall, the sensory palette is bold, offering memorable imagery while testing some audience expectations in auditory cohesion.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film’s enduring appeal remains mixed. Some viewers note that its rich visuals and technical elegance invite repeat viewings, while others find narrative looseness and pacing issues diminish the desire to revisit. As a result, its replay value is largely dependent on individual tolerance for structural unevenness.

Plot

Queer Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Queer from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The film opens with William Lee (Daniel Craig), an American expatriate, wandering through the colorful streets of Mexico City in the 1950s. Here, he encounters a young Jewish man who he suspects is hiding his true self, creating a palpable tension between them. This fleeting encounter sets the tone for Lee’s life, as he struggles to connect genuinely with others, often retreating into a world of casual flings and the comforting embrace of heroin, which he uses to escape his reality.

Full summary

The whole story of Queer, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Queer Box Office & Budget

Queer grossed $7 million worldwide on a $53.4 million budget, 13% of what it cost. $3.7 million came from the US and Canada and $3.3 million (47%) from the rest of the world.

2024 box office

Worldwide gross

$7M

13% of its budget back

US & Canada
$3.7M
International
$3.3M
Budget
$53.4M
US & Canada 53% Rest of the world 47%
Awards

Queer Awards & Nominations

Queer earned 2 award nominations, including Best Actor at the Critics' Choice 2025. The 2 nominations come from 2 ceremonies.

2 nominations2 ceremonies

Videos

Queer Trailers & Videos

22 videos: 4 trailers, 1 teaser, 9 clips and 8 featurettes.

All 22 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer 2
  • Trailer Official International Trailer #2
  • Trailer Queer - Official Trailer
  • Teaser Daniel Craig is...
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Queer?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the primary setting of 'Queer'?

Cars

Cars in Queer

5 cars on screen, including the 1952 Buick Super and the unknown.

All 5 cars
  • 1952 Buick Super in Queer 1952 Buick Super Minor role
  • unknown in Queer unknown Minor role
  • 1946 De Soto Custom in Queer 1946 De Soto Custom Background role
  • 1940 LaSalle 50 Convertible Coupe in Queer 1940 LaSalle 50 Convertible Coupe Background role
Details

Queer Also Known As

11 alternative titles, including “Queer: Desejo Mórbido” and “William S. Burroughs' Queer”.

Also known as
  • Queer: Desejo Mórbido
  • William S. Burroughs' Queer
  • 퀴어
  • 酷儿
  • Квир
  • Квір
  • קוויר, უცნაური
  • Đồng Tính
  • 以你的酷愛垮掉我
  • เควียร์
  • Kvīrs

Seen Queer?

FAQ

Queer FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and awards of Queer, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Queer?

Queer runs 2 hours 15 minutes (135 minutes).

When was Queer released?

Queer was released on November 27, 2024.

Who directed Queer?

Queer was directed by Luca Guadagnino.

More films by Luca Guadagnino

Who is in the cast of Queer?

Queer stars Daniel Craig as William Lee, Drew Starkey as Eugene Allerton and Jason Schwartzman as Joe Guidry, among 6 credited actors.

How much did Queer make at the box office?

Queer grossed $7 million worldwide ($3.7 million domestic, $3.3 million international) on a budget of $53.4 million.

How is Queer rated?

Queer has 6.3/10 on IMDb, 72 on Metacritic and 65% on TMDB.

Is Queer based on a book?

Yes. Queer is adapted from Queer by William S. Burroughs and Oliver Harris.

Was Queer nominated for any awards?

Queer received 2 nominations across 2 ceremonies.

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