Femme

I actually really loved this story but the ending just didn't do it for me. It touched light upon discrimination and just pure hate towards anyone in the LGBTQ+ community.. it actually was a really touching story and I thought it was actually rather beautiful in it own way. This sort of discrimination happens every single day and the sentiment was there it just had a few bits that didn't do it justice. I loved the fact that Jules (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett) felt like the only way he could reclaim what was taken from him was by outing Preston (George MacKay) through revenge *. I honestly thought at the end he would either go through with it and it ruin Prestons life, or he'd not go through with it and fall in love with his abuser. The fact Preston actually found out at a drag show just didn't feel right to me. Why would Jules just randomly go up on stage and start blurting out about his plan for revenge. It just seemed like a rushed ending. They also made Preston out to be a victim too much. Yes, he was probably hurt by someone else and that's exactly why he hurts others and hides who he is but that's no excuse for him to beat a person up. In the end I felt my deepest sympathy for Preston and it took away from the fact Jules was beaten and victimised by this man. I'm not saying it was right for Jules to out Preston or post revenge * but it felt a little messy as it built up to the end. I don't know if Nathan Stewart (Jules) has ever done any drag work before but he really slayed it. As a massive fan of Drag Race he played this part like he belonged on Ru Paul's stage.

"Femme," a 2023 thriller, grabs you and doesn't let go. It's the story of Jules, whose life is torn apart by a brutal homophobic attack. Things take a wild turn when he runs into Preston, one of the attackers, in a gay sauna. Jules is torn between revenge and something deeper. This movie hits hard. It's gritty, real, and punches you right in the feelings. The actors bring their A-game, making every moment believable and raw. You're not just watching; you're living through Jules's pain and his complex road to possibly finding peace. "Femme" is more than a movie. It's a deep dive into the aftermath of love & hate, showing how it scars everyone involved. It's uncomfortable, yes, but it's also incredibly powerful. It's one of those rare films that sticks with you, challenging you to see the world and its harsh realities in a new light.

Went into this film thinking it was solely about drag and a 'straight' man falling for the drag queen... well I was very wrong. Interesting storyline, one I've not come across before. Amazing acting from both lead actors, you could really feel the emotion coming from them both. A fascinating look into the realm of self loathing and 'knowing your worth'. Not the ending I was hoping for but still an unexpected twist. The signs of any great story telling is when you as the audience feel empathy and sorrow of the 'villain' and by the end I most certainly did! Highly recommend!!! Moral of the story... always be yourself.

With his performances as Aphrodite Banks, Jules has a place among London's celebrated drag artists. One night after a show, he steps out to get some cigarettes and is brutally attacked by a man, out with a gang of his friends. Although Jules is able to recover physically, he withdraws from the outside world, traumatized. Months later, he recognizes his attacker by chance in a gay sauna. Without make-up and wrapped only in a towel, Jules is able to approach the other man incognito and find out who he is. He begins an affair with the closeted Preston, with a plan to take his revenge...... Femme is one of those films that comes out of nowhere, metaphorically gives you a gut punch, and becomes one of the films of the year. Never since Tommy Devito have I found a character so tense and terrifying. And Preston is that character. MacKay is at his career best as Preston, a ticking timebomb just waiting to explode. Every ounce of affection he gives Jules is just a facade. His affection is masked along with his personality. Preston is beyond saving. A troubled man in the closet fearing that he will be exposed to his entourage. He's a narcissist of the highest order, and every scene MacKay is in is electric. And Jules is in constant fear that Preston will see his mask slip, and he will recall what he did to him. Preston must have so many emotions going through his head, that he knows deep down that the initial attack was for show, and that's all Preston is, a show, and his fear that his real self will be exposed could potentially cause him to be more explosive than he already is. This is what makes the film so brilliant. It's the tension that runs along with the narrative that keeps the viewer on edge throughout. What will happen when Jules exacts his revenge? Or is he developing feelings for someone that made him hide his true self? It's all about hiding ones self for fear of the unknown, and it's a wonderful film, really wonderful. It's no easy watch, that's for sure, but my gosh, it's brilliant.

Gritty and realistic. Both the lead characters regularly flip from hunter to hunted building a palpable tension. Nathan Stewart-Jarrett captures Jules brilliantly from the early scenes when he is violently hurt in a homophobic attack, up to the end where he shows his power and takes charge. George MacKay is simply outstanding as Preston, Jules' attacker and then lover. I can't believe how MacKay was able to convey so much emotion that I actually felt sorry for Preston, even though I knew I shouldn't. Preston is a deeply troubled character, a man who is able to be tender and loving trapped in a world of toxic masculinity. MacKay has a kind face and is able to express the vulnerability that Preston faces but on the flick of a light switch can show us the monsterous behaviours that he is capable of. The storytelling and direction is outstanding as when the credits rolled I truly wanted more. The peacekeeper in me wanted Jules and Preston to reconcile but is there any way back for what Preston did? I do suspect not but stranger thanks have happened. Clearly Preston didn't belong in his world and felt more at ease in the arms of Jules but the threat of exposure is a cross too hard to bear.

Sorry. But this one is not for your TYPICAL heterosexual male or Christian fan base. Lots of gay stuff. And not pg-13 kind. You most likely won't enjoy it and we don't need the negative comments about it. This one's is for the gays, the theys, the girls, the trays and the ones who are in the closet. You been warned otherwise This was an absolute marvel. Small read, her face was a bit beat up during her performances. But when I say Jules hit the nail right on the head with SEDUCTIVE REVENGE, that girl couldn't have done it better with a hammer. STUNNING AND HOT AND SAD AND BRUTAL AND DAUNTING. I loved every moment this movie had to offer. The familiarity with the scene and the bathhouses and the community and the shows just made the movie feel like you were apart of it. The director fell short of no detail when it came to impressing a LGBTQ+ fan base. (Let's not even choke on how impressively beautiful both leading actors are. Along with the supporting actors/actress's) And while it is revenge, it's so immaculate how this movie ends. Love always wins.

**potential spoiler** I need more!! I need closure. I gave it 9/10 and just deducting for the ending. Fantastic acting throughout! I was so invested. I have so many questions after that ending. Why do I feel like I've just watched a really good M Night Shalalalalalalman flick. I'm rooting for Preston and I don't know why. I need to see them together. I'm working in 7 hours but i know i won't sleep a wink with my mind racing after this movie. I think this movie needed to be made. Gay men go through so much in their lives! I can resonate completely with some of these characters. Brilliant writing!!! Again... i need more.

I'd heard an interview with both George Mackay and Nathan Stuart-Jarrett about their experiences on set and during the filming of Femme, and was intrigued. Previously, Mackay has played pretty easy to like, or ar least average/'ordinary' character. He comes across as a,fairly gentle soul. His performance in Femme is testament to his acting talent. He embodies a violent, intimidating man, who is almost unrecognisable from the actor as I'd had previously perceived him. When an actor can truly transform in the way he does, it is incredible to watch. The film focuses on two main characters, one openly queer and immersed in the sphere of free expression of identity and gender and sexuality. The other, is caught up in a very toxic, aggressive, and closed minded circle, who are hostile to any 'non-traditional'/-patriarchal gender and sexual stereotypes. When these two characters collide, we witness devastating, moving and captivating consequences. Each is thrown into the other's completely foreign 'world', and the film explores how they navigate this- the impact it has upon their perceptions and relationships with themselves and those around them. Nathan Stuart-Jarrett is lesser known than Mackay, but totally matches his skills at portraying a hugely complex character who is respond to life changing experiences. It is believable, tragic, beautiful, crushing and so so worthy of attention and praise.

Saw George Mackay on Graham promoting this some time ago and have been waiting for it to become available. It dropped this week on Netflix so I was really looking forward to seeing it. Sheez ... what a disappointment. From the interview / chat I imagined that it was a revenge story. It's not ... but I'm not sure what it actually is. He clocks Preston in the gay place and then for some reason decides to strike up a relationship with him - even though he's a detestable excuse for a person. Ok, he kind of comes round a bit but still ... what's the endgame here? The performances are good but it's the story arc that really lets this down. A very uncomfortable and baffling watch with no conclusion or redemption ... so generally just extremely unsatisfying. 37/100.

A revenge drama is a tricky business. You don't want it to be a too much of exploitation trash, but you don't want it to be too safe either. 'Femme' falls closer to 'playing it too safe' team. I found the biggest issue was that the key moments didn't ring true. The assault scene, for example, is the basis of the rest of the ensuing drama. I wouldn't have expected it to be the level of 'Irreversible'... but it definitely relied too much on camera works and editing than the rawness of the violence, thus making Jules' resulting trauma less gripping to the audience. The following key moments of shift also failed to be convincing. How Jules re-encounters Preston, how that chance encounter leads to hook up, how that again leads to a proper steak date... all seem to just happen for the convenience of the plot. Also Preston's changes as a character, namely how he develops deeper feeling towards Jules and admits his submissive side... all come along without much development (after literally one scene after another of him using Jules like a sex toy, that is). Together with Jules' frankly flimsy plan of 'revenge' (why would he bring Preston back to his place and let his friends meet him if he truly was serious about his revenge?), the overall result is that it made it hard to take the whole thing rather seriously. A revenge drama that keeps you at the edge of the seat, 'Femme' is not. One of the weaknesses was also Stewart-Jarrett playing Jules. His switch between feminine-masculine persona was impressive, but his display of tension/fear/emotional struggle was pretty mono-toned. Say, his fear before the assault should have a different colour to his fear when he later faces Preston's thug friends, for example. But to my eyes, it all felt pretty generic 'fear'. Mackay's display of explosive temper and the contrasting soft/weak side is great, but even his great acting cannot quite make up (already mentioned) lack of convincing development. I want to see more risk taking and raw approach when the film maker took up such a controversial subject to start with.