‘You spend your whole life being someone else, WHO’S GONNA BE YOU?’ – Dan Sherry (Andrew Scott, Handsome Devil)

God’s Own Country (2017)

Director Francis Lee’s love story about two farmers in Yorkshire is simply beautiful. Johnny (Josh O’Connor) spends his long days working and his evenings binge drinking and having causal sexual encounters. When migrant worker Gheorghe (Alec Secareanu) arrives to help out at the farm, it’s clear that things are quickly about to change for both men. Here’s the 5 star review I wrote for Den of Geek.

Naomi and Ely’s No Kiss List (2015)

Based on the book written by Rachel Cohn and David Leviathan, the godfather of YA, the friendship of a teen girl and her male best friend are truly tested when they fall for the same guy, Sweet, tenderly told and immensely sassy.

Ideal Home (2018)

Ideal Home had a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it release at the UK box office – it deserved much more love and attention. Steve Coogan and Paul Rudd play a married couple who find themselves lumbered with the former’s grandson, who he had no idea even existed. A very funny and poignant family drama.

Beach Rats (2017)

A festival darling that hasn’t been seen by nearly enough people. A coming of age story about a teen boy (played by Harris Dickinson, a British up-and-comer most recently seen in the miniseries Trust) who struggles with adolescent turmoil. It’s rare to find feelings of shame so beautifully and honestly depicted.

Carol (2015)

Young and naive shop assistant Therese (Rooney Mara) is happy enough with her day-to-day life and sort-of-relationship with Richard (Jake Lacy). Then older woman Carol (Cate Blanchett) comes sweeping in and changes everything. A stunning period drama, both in terms of visually and performance.

Alex Strangelove (2018)

Alex Strangelove disappeared under the shadow of the similarly themed Love, Simon – undeservedly as it’s a great film in it’s own right. It’s funny and more honest about the awfulness of adolescence than most teen movies.

Handsome Devil (2017)

I will never stop recommending this film and I will carry on doing so until everyone has watched it. The story of two opposites, a nerdy outcast and the popular athlete, is a well-worn narrative. Rarely is it done this beautifully or movingly.

Princess Cyd (2017)

Another familiar story arc is the teen on a summer break filled with self discovery. Princess Cyd uses that and runs with it. Charming, awkward and very lovely.

Every Day (2018)

Based on another book by David Leviathan, Every Day is the story about ‘A’, a travelling spirit who wakes up each day in a different body. A will experience a day in that person’s life, trying to disrupt it as little as possible, before moving on. But meeting Rhiannon (Angourie Rice) makes moving on impossible. A story about love isn’t about gender or sex but the person.

Special Mention-  TV – Sex Education (2019)

A mini series that popped up on Netflix a few weeks ago to much acclaim and swift commission of a second series. it’s truly refreshing to see a show that depicts sexuality and discovery of self which such understanding. Relative newcomer Ncuti Gatwa, who plays Eric, will be a real one to watch.