15 LGBTQIA+ movies to watch if you liked Love, Simon

Call Me By Your Name

You had to expect this one!

Call Me By Your Name was a frontrunner at this year’s Oscars and was a critical darling as soon as it was released. The film is about Elio (Timothée Chalamet), a 17-year-old American-Italian boy, who spends his summers in the northern Italian countryside with his parents. Every year, his archaeology professor father takes on a graduate student to help with his academic research, and in the summer of 1983, it’s the handsome American named Oliver (Armie Hammer).

Elio seems to have a bit of resentment towards Oliver at first, partially because he has to give up his room to him for the summer and also because of his American attitude. He takes issue with the student’s overuse of “Later!” whenever he runs off places. However, he quickly becomes infatuated by the 24-year-old.

The two start spending more time with each other, riding bikes and swimming in the lake, but when things start getting more flirty, Oliver resists. The age difference is a key factor, but soon this flirtation becomes unbearable and the two act on it. It’s clear that the two have a great love for each other, but it’s understandably complicated.

This movie is not for everyone, and it’s definitely not a teen rom-com. It’s beautifully shot, but heartbreaking to watch. As you can imagine, a love affair between a 17-year-old boy and a 24-year-old man (especially in 1983) does not end happily, but that’s what makes it so important.

Even now in 2018, many gay teenagers find themselves gravitating to older men because it’s such a struggle to find gay partners as a teenager. They’re also more experienced. Of course, that doesn’t make it okay, but it’s still prevalent and a story worth telling, especially since they rarely end well.

And if for anything else, watch Call Me By Your Name for the stunning Italian countryside. You’ll quickly find yourself looking for Italian rentals!