Director Sophie Dupuis’s latest feature, SOLO, which won the Best Canadian Film prize at the Toronto International Film Festival, will be released in cinemas across the UK and Ireland on 19 September.
The film is centred on Simon, a rising figure in Montreal’s drag scene, played by Canadian actor Théodore Pellerin, whose recent credits include Lurker, Never Rarely Sometimes Always and Beau Is Afraid. Félix Maritaud, known for Sauvage and 120 Beats Per Minute, co-stars as Olivier, a new performer who becomes the focus of Simon’s intense and turbulent affection.
SOLO follows Simon as a romance with Olivier rapidly shifts from euphoria to rivalry and what critics have described as a destructive dynamic. At the same time Simon must navigate the reappearance of his mother, Claire, a renowned opera singer who returns after a 15-year absence seeking to restart her career. The narrative explores themes of identity, ambition and belonging as Simon confronts the cost of idealising both a lover and a parent.
Dupuis’s film premiered at TIFF to favourable notices. Reviews cited its vivid depiction of drag performance alongside quieter, character-driven moments. Variety praised the soundtrack and emotional range, while IndieWire noted the film’s blend of ‘queer euphoria with toxic love.’ Other outlets highlighted the film’s balance between spectacle and intimacy.
Pellerin’s casting follows his growing profile in North American and European cinema; Maritaud has been associated with intense, character-led projects in recent years, making the pairing notable for audiences interested in contemporary queer cinema. Dupuis, who has previously worked in Quebec cinema, continues to attract attention for films that combine bold visual style with character-focused storytelling.
