Nothing comforts the soul like watching a well-made and accurately represented queer storyline on a lazy Sunday. After decades of suffering through sad and tragic storylines, 2022 was quite literally a queer bonanza. Not only did we get representation, we got authentic representation with actual happy endings! There were so many beautifully portrayed LGBTQ+ characters that have since burrowed deep into our hearts. Due to want of time and space, here are my top 6 picks of Queer movies and TV Shows of 2022 that I’d kill to watch again for the first time.
6. First Kill (TV Show-English)
It’s the lesbian vampire enemies-to-lovers trope we always deserved but never got – until now. The chemistry between the leads sizzles like drops of rain on hot charcoal. Although the plot is shallow and predictable at times, we loved it all the same. Well, don’t we deserve all the fun, sappy, and stereotypical plots in the world too? You bet we do. The premise of a vampire and a vampire-hunter falling in love is just too hard to resist. Also, the catchy music definitely makes up for it all. When you’re down for a night of casual watching, just prop your feet up on the couch and put on First kill. I promise you; you won’t regret it.
5. Natchathiram Nagargiradhu (Movie-Tamil)
Centered around a drama troupe set in the picturesque city of Pondicherry, the female lead is an aspiring actor fighting against the dual horrors of patriarchy and casteism. Although the two queer couples, one lesbian and one gay, are not the major focus of the film, it was still good representation. After ‘Super Deluxe’ and Sudha Kongara’s ‘Thangam’, this is perhaps the best queer representation in mainstream Tamil cinema to date. Overall, the movie was intersectionality depicted at its best. The enthralling music and dance-cum-drama sequences make it worth more than one watch.
4. Badhaai Do (Movie-Hindi)
Badhaai Do was one of the best desi representations we got as a community this year. The word ‘gay’ literally means fun and to think we never got our fun Rom-Coms (sigh). Anyway, Badhaai Do changed that sad reality, armed with a trope-y plot of a gay police officer and a lesbian P.E. trainer getting into a marriage of convenience to keep their families and that one nosy aunty off their backs. It might have been trope-y but it was entertaining as hell and the chemistry between both lead pairs was through the roof. We loved Shardul‘s character development from being a highly closeted gay man to one who proudly wears the rainbow masquerade mask at a Pride parade! Pessimists might call the ending unrealistic, but then, it’s the unrealistic happiness and sappiness that we seek in movies and TV shows after all. And that, Badhaai Do provides in all its glory. I’ve watched it thrice now and so should you.
3. Cobalt Blue (Movie-Hindi)
Our very own Indian ‘Call Me By Your Name’, but with a twist. A bisexual Oliver seduces a brother-sister duo and then cons them both. That’s the worst bottom line I could give you, but I swear the movie is nowhere near as boring. A film rendition of a book of the same name, it was directed by the author, Sachin Kundalkar, himself. The cinematography is so poignant with the titular cobalt blue just about everywhere in the film. The characters are deeply layered and fight their own wars against society. Cobalt Blue has this mystique air of quaint sensuality that makes the viewer feel so much. Set in 1990s Kerala, we go back to a time when homosexuality was scorned upon. When both siblings fall for the unnamed paying guest who’s obsessed with a particular shade of blue, drama ensues. It’s the best film to watch when you want something intricate, intimate, and inspiring.
2. Heartstopper (TV Show-English)
The most hyped queer series of the year, it was perfect in every possible way. The tooth-rotting fluff literally gave us cavities, but we’re not complaining. The show overflows with the innocence and softness that only teenage love can bring about. Every time Charlie and Nick are in the vicinity of each other, we get the butterflies with them. The cute and heart-warming graphic leaves, hearts, and other digital art add a beautiful touch of the original webtoon to the show. We loved the Elle-Tao storyline as much as the main leads and Yasmin Finney is so gorgeous, I spent half the show simping over her (#NoShame). The ending left us wanting so much more and we can’t wait for season 2 to come sooner!
1. Young Royals S2 (TV Show-Swedish)
Perhaps one of the most awaited sequels of 2022, season 2 of Young Royals definitely did not disappoint. Don’t we just love the trope of a modern royalty show with gay titular characters? Although this season was filled with pining and angst, we were all for it, because it hurt so good. The fact that Wilhelm is ready to throw away all the money, fame, and even his family for Simon, pulls so much at our heartstrings, it’s almost unbearable. The final scene, where the prince of the nation professes his love for a nobody, live on national television, was heart-melting, to say the least. The fandom unanimously agrees that Wilhelm must be protected at all costs. Period. And of course, I cannot end without an honourable mention of the extraordinariness that was the background score.
This past year gave us an equal mix of light-hearted and fun storylines with intricate, layered, and moving ones. Indian cinema is becoming queer-conscious and that in itself is something to celebrate. We can’t wait for all the queerness 2023 has in store for us! What are some Queer movies/ TV shows of 2022 that you’d kill to watch again for the first time? Let us know in the comments down below!
