Seventeen-year-old Randy tries very hard to be a good person. Since his father left, Randy takes care of his emotionally disturbed mother, and he's the kind of friend all of his classmates can depend on. As strong as he seems on the outside, Randy is hiding a secret inner struggle and denial of his true self. It's not until he opens himself up to love that he discovers that becoming a man means accepting who you really are.
Acting
Julian Walker's trembling vulnerability in his debut.
Score
Gospel performances that ache with suppressed longing.
Writing
Mo'Nique's unhinged mother: monstrous yet weirdly sympathetic.
Director
Patrik-Ian Polk
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Patrik-Ian Polk founded LOGO's 'Noah's Arc' — this was his return to Black queer cinema after years fighting for representation in a genre that rarely centered Black gay men.
Mo'Nique took the role for scale pay after her Oscar win, specifically to support Black LGBTQ+ storytelling — her performance was shot in just five days.
US
