Ganymede

Colby Holt and Sam Probst's compelling motion picture is a true queer horror story. About a handsome kindhearted high school wrestling champion named Lee Fletcher, impressively played by Jordan Doww, who is a closeted gay teenage and constantly battles with his own sexuality to such a degree that he is emotionally and physically tormenting by visions of a grotesque demonic creature menacing him. Lee's sexual urges are completely unacceptable to his deeply religious homophobic parents, Big Lee and Floy, superbly played by Joe Chrest and Robyn and Lively, who do nothing to help him. Things become worse when Lee meets and develops a crush on an openly gay student, Kyle Culper, wonderfully played by Pablo Castelbanco in an endearing performance, who soon falls in love with him. Once Lee's parents catch wind of the attraction he has towards Kyle, they turn towards the church for help and remedies to cure their's son homosexuality which are horrific and brutal. Lee is near the breaking point as he struggles with his strong feelings towards Kyle, and the monstrous demonic creature that keeps haunting him. Solid direction by Holt and Probst, and marvelously acted by the entire cast, with an engrossing script by Colby Holt. This fine film is a mixture of Gothic horror and coming of age story that is extremely well made.

While Ganymede isn't an Oscar worthy film by any means, it isn't the worst film I've ever seen. The acting is good and script is decent. Jordan Doww is a stand out (in my opinion) as a young closeted gay man struggling with the need to repress everything about himself. David Koechner's preacher character is so eerily believable that you almost forget he's the same actor from Ron Burgundy. The only character I had an issue with is Kyle. I felt he was far too self-absorbed and annoyingly persistent that I ended up hating him in the end. The thing that affected me the most about this film is that attempts to "fix" young homosexual men is still a relevant topic today and that's scarier to me than any horror character.

With its uninspired storyline, clichéd horror elements, and lackluster acting, "Ganymede" is a disappointingly mediocre and outdated addition to this year's LGBT film collection.

The film centers on Lee Fletcher, a sensitive high school athlete grappling with his conservative, Evangelical parents who impose traditional gender roles on him. Lee's poorly developed and rushed crush on his openly gay classmate, Kyle, is depicted through the bizarre and uninspired appearance of a literal gay demon. This attempt at incorporating "creepy" horror elements into an otherwise dull coming-of-age drama occasionally resembles a low-budget, cheesy Christian film. The predictable plot, shallow characterization, and awkward dialogue make the movie more cringeworthy than campy.

While films like Sam H. Freeman's intense gay thriller "Femme (2023)" suggest that higher standards for homoerotic cinema are emerging, "Ganymede" stands as a regrettable and, despite its surprisingly favorable reviews, overrated step backward.

One would think that with releases like Sam H. Freeman's harrowing gay thriller "Femme- (2023)", directors have sought to set a higher standard for homoerotic movies, but this film proves to be an unfortunate, and based on its suspiciously well-received reviews, an overrated setback.

I wished see it , the main source of interest being, off course, the title. And I was not exatlz desapointed by it . Only, in some measure, surprised by the appetit of director to collect themes, subjects in pure chaotic manner , against an order who use, in fair, wise manner, the generous material.

Because all remains in mist at final, a so fake final than you have chances to feel some embarassment.

Sure,Jordan Doww shirless , the psychosis of his Lee Fletcher ( relative of admirable Jessica Fletcher ? ), religion art wall , with the hypocrisy as stigma, a Kyle Culper having all virtues of annozing character ( sure, a teenager in love, so, some reasonable excuses ) and a principal pure unrealistic scene by scene.

The problem is the wasted potential of story and good premises in desorder. In short, a lot of sketches drawn on the run. And obsession of monsters who are so bad defined . The use of ECT by a pastor and the confrontation between Floy and her brother are the worst scenes. The good point - the wrestling contest and the show of Kyle. Is it enough ? I do not know .

It plays like a crossover between episodes of Are You Afraid of the Dark? And The Hard Times of RJ Berger.

The one wrestling guy was my favorite while I didn't like his dad at all. And the mom, Deadpool's sister-in-law, her characterization and backstory were pivotal to the success of the film. She made pie.

Also, Champ Kind - he is neither a champ or kind in this movie. In fact, his role is quite a departure from anything you have seen David Koechner do. He is a menacing force on the poster for a reason.

I think the biggest disservice is marketing this movie as a thriller or even horror in any traditional sense of those genres. I would call it an unconventional gay coming-of-age drama with hints of other (psychological/mystical) influences - much of which are left ambiguous as I see it.

Pitch in and put trash in its place, people.