Daniel Craig is ‘Queer’… in a new movie by the director of Call Me By Your Name

Set against the vibrant backdrop of 1940s Mexico City, “Queer” stars Craig as Lee, a man on the run from a drug bust in New Orleans who finds himself irresistibly drawn to Allerton, a recently discharged serviceman from the American Navy.

Allerton is brought to life by Drew Starkey, whose film credits include “Love, Simon” (2018), “Hellraiser” (2022), and “The Other Zoey” (2023). Starkey has also garnered substantial acclaim as a series regular in Netflix’s mystery teen drama “Outer Banks” since 2020. The unveiled image captures Daniel Craig immersed in a newspaper outside a quaint shop in Mexico, setting a nostalgic yet complex tone for the film.

“Queer” is set to make its world premiere at the 81st Venice International Film Festival, running from 28 August to 7 September. It will be competing for the esteemed Golden Lion award, and the film is also expected to garner attention at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival from 5 to 15 September. The exact theatrical release date remains under wraps.

Adapted from William S. Burroughs’ 1985 novella, “Queer” explores themes like homosexuality and drug addiction while director Guadagnino has hinted at the inclusion of “numerous and quite scandalous” sex scenes between Craig and Starkey’s characters.

The cast of “Queer” also features Jason Schwartzman as Frank Cochan, Lesley Manville as Alice Cochan, Henry Zaga as Winston Moor, Drew Droege as John Dume, Ariel Schulman as Tom Weston, Colin Bates as Tom Williams, Ronia Ava as Joan, and Perla Ambrosini as Lee’s mother. The film will also mark the acting debut of singer-songwriter Omar Apollo, whose role is still shrouded in mystery.

“Queer” stands as Guadagnino’s second major release of the year, following the critically acclaimed “Challengers,” a sports dramedy featuring Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, and Mike Faist. Known for his Academy Award-nominated “Call Me By Your Name,” Guadagnino continues to resonate within the LGBTQ+ community.