Queer Representation Handled With Authenticity

Read Time:5 Minute, 22 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Unicorns (Blu-ray)
–

Genre: Drama, Romance
Year Released: 2023, Kino Lorber Blu-ray 2025
Runtime: 1h 59m
Director(s): Sally El Hosaini, James Krishna Floyd
Writer(s): James Krishna Floyd
Cast: Ben Hardy, Jason Patel, Kate Lindsey, Sagar Radia
Where to Watch: available now, order your copy here: www.kinolorber.com or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: At its heart, UNICORNS is a story about two people whose lives should never have intersected, but whose chance encounter changes them both in profound ways. On one side is Luke, a working-class single father from Essex, living a life of routine as a mechanic and quietly carrying the burdens of responsibility. On the other hand is Aysha, a British Indian drag performer navigating the complexities of living openly in one world and privately in another. When their paths cross, the result is not just a romance, but an exploration of identity, culture, and the often-painful process of self-acceptance.

The film succeeds in blending intimacy with broader commentary. Directors Sally El Hosaini and James Krishna Floyd approach the story with a sensitivity that avoids clichés. Rather than treating Aysha’s drag persona as an exhibition, the film allows her identity to breathe naturally, acknowledging both the empowerment and the risk that come with living genuinely. Luke’s journey, meanwhile, is one of disruption: forced to confront feelings and truths about himself that don’t fit the narrow mold he’s lived within.

Ben Hardy’s performance as Luke is one of restraint and gradual unraveling. His character begins rooted in a traditional mold — a father, a worker, a man who seems to know his place in the world. But as he falls deeper into Aysha’s pull, Hardy captures the struggle of a man questioning not only his sexuality but his sense of masculinity and identity. Opposite him, Jason Patel makes a stunning feature debut. As Aysha, he is aglow and commanding in the club scenes, yet vulnerable in private moments. The duality of performance and reality is central to his role, and Patel carries it with authenticity and nuance.

What makes the film stand out is its honesty in portraying cultural and family tensions. Aysha’s life as a South Asian drag performer isn’t played as a novelty; instead, it highlights the friction between tradition and personal freedom. The film does not shy away from the weight of expectations, religion, and community, all of which add layers to her decisions. Luke, in contrast, embodies a different kind of conflict: one rooted in class and heteronormative assumptions. Their connection becomes a space where both confront the identities they’ve inherited and the ones they might choose.

Visually, the contrast between environments becomes a language of its own. The neon-drenched nightclub scenes pulse with color and defiance, while Luke’s world is muted, grounded in garages and the weight of responsibility. This juxtaposition mirrors the characters themselves — one thriving in spaces of expression, the other locked in a world of restraint. Cinematographer David Raedeker captures both with care, ensuring the film never feels like two disconnected halves but rather a single narrative stitched together by contrast.

UNICORNS is not without its flaws. Some story elements tread on familiar ground, echoing past queer romances where cultural conflict and hidden identities drive the plot. While the film largely avoids melodrama, its final act can feel somewhat compared to the raw messiness that precedes it. These are small stumbles, but they prevent the film from fully transcending its genre. Despite this, the film’s core remains undeniable. The chemistry between Hardy and Patel lends authenticity to the story. Their interactions feel tentative and charged with the energy of two people who know their connection is both dangerous and liberating. It is in the small gestures that the film finds its deepest truths.

Perhaps the film’s greatest strength is its refusal to over-explain. It does not set out to define sexuality, drag culture, or cultural conflict in neat terms. Instead, it lets the characters inhabit contradictions. Aysha is both powerful and vulnerable, Luke is both drawn in and resistant, and their relationship is both fragile and transformative. This approach makes the story feel grounded rather than idealized, acknowledging that identity is rarely clean or easy to articulate.

For audiences, UNICORNS offers both representation and relatability. For those in the LGBTQIA2S+ community, it is a validation of stories often pushed to the edges. For others, it’s a window into lives they may not understand but can empathize with. More than anything, it’s a reminder that love stories need not fit traditional molds to be powerful. The clash of backgrounds, expectations, and fears makes the romance all the more affecting.

UNICORNS is a film that lingers. It may not always surprise in its plotting, but it speaks with sincerity. It dares to place a drag queen and a working-class father at the center of a love story, refusing to reduce either to stereotypes. What emerges is a romance that is as much about self-discovery as it is about connection. It is flawed, heartfelt, and deeply human — and that’s exactly what makes it work.

Please visit https://linktr.ee/overlyhonestr for more reviews.

You can follow me on Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. My social media accounts can also be found on most platforms by searching for 'Overly Honest Reviews'.

I’m always happy to hear from my readers; please don't hesitate to say hello or send me any questions about movies.

[photo courtesy of KINO LORBER]

DISCLAIMER:
At Overly Honest Movie Reviews, we value honesty and transparency. Occasionally, we receive complimentary items for review, including DVDs, Blu-rays, CDs, Vinyl Records, Books, and more. We assure you that these arrangements do not influence our reviews, as we are committed to providing unbiased and sincere evaluations. We aim to help you make informed entertainment choices regardless of our relationship with distributors or producers.

Amazon Affiliate Links:
Additionally, this site contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may receive a commission. This affiliate arrangement does not affect our commitment to honest reviews and helps support our site. We appreciate your trust and support in navigating these links.