Queer Sh*t to Watch This Week
NewNowNext spotlights the latest (and queerest) movies, TV shows, web series, and other gay shit for your viewing pleasure in our weekly watch list. Grab your popcorn, squirrel friends!
VOD and DVD
Clementine
While recovering from a painful break-up at her ex-girlfriend’s Pacific Northwest lakehouse, Los Angeleno Karen (Otmara Marrero) ends up connecting with a teen, Lara (Sydney Sweeney). The premise is simple, but writer-director Lara Jean Gallagher adds a dash of psychological thrill—and calls from Karen's mysterious ex, D. (Sonya Walger)—to this slow burner. (Available on VOD May 8, Oscilloscope Laboratories)
Driveways
Korean-American filmmaker Andrew Ahn follows up Spa Night, his critically acclaimed debut about a closeted L.A. teen working in a gay Koreatown spa, with this touching, subtly queer drama. Driveways follows Cody (Lucas Jaye), 8-year-old Asian-American boy who strikes up a friendship with a widowed Korean War veteran, Del (the late Brian Dennehy). The jaded vet sees an opportunity to be affirmative and nurturing with this baby gay and redeem mistakes he made in the past when raising his lesbian daughter. (Available on VOD May 5, Filmrise)
Mother’s Little Helpers
Out actor Sam Littlefield—Wonderland gang member Mouse on The CW’s lesbionic Batwoman—co-wrote, produced, and co-stars in this dysfunctional family dramedy about four estranged adult siblings, including the openly queer, ankle monitor-wearing Jude (Littlefield), who reunite for their terminally ill mother’s final days. (Available now on VOD, Gravitas Ventures)
Saint Frances
After she accidentally gets pregnant and has an abortion, rudderless and self-involved Bridget (Kelly O’Sullivan, also the screenwriter) becomes a nanny for a pair of lesbian moms, looking after their rambunctious 6-year-old, Frances (Ramona Edith-Williams), while they focus on a newborn. Revelations follow in this brave, funny film that calls to mind prime Amy Schumer—if she went indie, that is. (Available now on VOD, Oscilloscope Laboratories)
TV and Streaming
Gold Digger
When a wealthy, 60-year-old divorcée (Julia Ormond) falls for a 30-something-year-old (Ben Barnes), her three adult children—including lesbian Della (Jemima Rooper)—raise more than just an eyebrow about his motives. The kids also navigate their own relationship drama and a long-buried family secret in this twisty, six-episode U.K. series. (Streaming now on Acorn TV)
Working Out is a Drag with Jason Wimberly
Sassy personal trainer and fitness instructor Jason Wimberly, whose celebrity clients include Jane Lynch, Selma Blair and Kate Hudson, brings his skills to RuPaul's Drag Race queens like Raja, Monique Heart, Kameron Mitchell, Laganja, and Sonique. Follow their step-by-step workouts in your coronalair! (Premieres May 6 on WOW Presents Plus)
Call Your Mother
This Mother's Day special from Comedy Central pays tribute to the moms of queer comedians Tig Notaro, Judy Gold, Fortune Formeister, the gay-adjacent Bridget Everett and Awkwafina, and other funny folks. Don’t forget to FaceTime your own mommas (and drag mothers) on Sunday, fam! (Premieres May 10 on Comedy Central)
Asian Americans
Celebrating the history, contributions, and stories of Asian Americans, this five-part docuseries ventures into LGBTQ intersectionality with segments featuring activist and journalist Helen Zia, one of the first legally married same-sex couples in California, and Margaret Cho. (Premieres May 11 on PBS)
Main image: Laganja (L) and Jason Wimberly (R) in Working Out is a Drag.