KATERINA PARRI
Italian director Luca Guantanino’s adaptation of William Burroughs’ crime novel, starring Daniel Craig
An American expat in Mexico in his early 50s spends his days alone, until his meeting with a new student shows him, for the first time, that he can form a close relationship with someone.
Guadagnino adapts William Burroughs‘ novel of the same name, with Daniel Craig receiving a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor for his performance.
1950, Mexico.
William Lee (Daniel Craig), an American expatriate in Mexico City in the early 1950s, spends his days almost entirely alone, except for a few interactions with other members of the small American community, such as Joe (Jason Schwartzman).
When he meets Eugene Allerton (Drew Starkey), a young student and former soldier in town, he realises for the first time that he can form a close relationship with someone.
William Burroughs’ colourful novel is given a spectacular adaptation by the always unpredictable Italian director Luca Guantanino (Call Me By Your Name, Challengers, Io Sono l’Amore), who manages to capture the spirit of the author and create a charming cinematic paradox, with a superb lead performance by Daniel Craig.
The film screened in competition at the Venice Film Festival and received, among other awards and critical acclaim, a Golden Globe 2025 nomination for Best Actor for Daniel Craig and a nomination for the upcoming Critics Choice Awards 2025.
The National Board of Review named it one of the top 10 films of the year and awarded Daniel Craig Best Actor.
Director’s Note: “How can a man who sees and feels not be sad?” asked William Burroughs in the last entry of his diary before his death. In adapting his second novel, published almost forty years after its completion, we have tried to respond to this dark evocation of the great image of the Beat Generation. Lee loves Allerton, Allerton loves Lee, and they will manage to meet, despite all the mistakes and fears that affect them both, on their journey through South America, as projected by Burroughs’ mind“. – Luca Guadagnino
“It will burn your brain and break your heart” – Indiewire
“The chemistry between them is sizzling” – Little White Lies
“Luca Guadagnino’s best film yet” – W MAG
“Beautiful, complex, extraordinary [Daniel Craig]… The role of a lifetime” – Rolling Stone
“Queer, stylish as can be, this may be Luca Guadagnino’s most heartfelt film” – Time
“It’s a genuinely funny, open, generous performance from Daniel Craig. ★★★★ – The Guardian
“Guadagnino tells a version of the same compelling story he told in Call Me by Your Name… The final shot is stunning… The boldest love story of the year”. – Variety
“A beautiful film about how a lonely life can so easily become a lifelong one” ★★★★★ – Telegraph
“Visually gorgeous, emotionally gripping and a masterful directorial effort from the already acclaimed Luca Guadagnino. – IGN
