Much ado has been made about whether sex work can be considered real work, and an even harsher stigma exists towards those who sell their bodies for views over on OnlyFans. In the queer community, these unfair biases have existed for decades in one form or another. Finnish-British writer/director Mikko Makela explores the more commonplace practices of prostitution in our modern society. He uses the concept as a window into the world of a twenty-something aspiring gay writer living in Edinburgh. Lead actor Ruaridh Mollica fully embraces this difficult role with open arms, melding his sincerity with implied subtext and charisma. A sharp narrative commingles with graphic, honest depictions of sex in layered gay drama, Sebastian.
Max (Mollica) has been chipping away at his debut novel slowly, using his dual identity as Sebastian for a unique brand of research and development. Posting on hook up website Dreamy Boys, Sebastian offers a variety of services such as anal sex and blow jobs. Could there be a more perfect pathway to a bestselling novel than one set in the world of overworked and underpaid male prostitutes? An exciting interview opportunity with queer author Bret Easton Ellis puts heart eyes in Max’s lust for relevancy. Max swims deeper into the waters of a world that should generally be foreign to him. In his longing to break free from reviewing the works of others, Max’s search for identity and coming to terms with his own personal passions drive the narrative into many interesting directions.
Perhaps part of maintaining his Sebastian identity or just an addition to a healthy lifestyle, Max keeps his body in peak shape—this includes regular manscaping, and consistent time spent at the gym to maintain his runner-esque physique. Make no mistake: Max remains a conventionally attractive central player from the very beginning. The film’s openness in depicting explicit sexual scenarios presents a thrilling peak into the gay world that many mainstream movies have tried hard to conceal. There should be no sugar-coating for a unique drama that places central importance on sex, and the way it drives our ambitions. In joining Max on his journey to complete the novel he has been quietly crafting, the audience gets a front-row seat to a delicate character study.
Mikko Makela directly addresses judgments that others may have towards escorts through the dialogue of Max and his friends. For its lead, Max has no harsh opinions on the lives they have to live. His identity seems built around using his own masculine power to pull truths from experiences. He thrills and delights at the very concept of what he may be doing, whether it be with much older men, or in group sex scenarios. Makela adds a fresh perspective to the world typically depicted. There are no gay bashings or generic queer tropes; rather, Max’s world emerges as incredibly relatable and dangerously realistic. Love it or hate it, Sebastian leans into the conflicts and sexual expression with a bold voice and distinct flavor.
Max’s encounters are often choreographed in colorful bursts of blue and green filters, but they feel most real when they avoid glamorization. In a movie filled with titillating moments, Makela asks difficult questions of his audience. Should we fetishize this level of promiscuity, similar to the way many of Max’s coworkers at the publishing house react to what he presents them? If Max feels no shame about what he does, why then does he try to hide the fact that these are his experiences alone? He does not need the money, nor does anyone force Max against his will to do anything he has not invited. The murky morality of Max makes him an unpredictable, exciting character to watch.
Intimate closeups often set the stage, while wide shots convey the breadth and tenacity of Max’s insatiable hunger for writing material. The lines blur often—Max himself pens his experiences in the third person to create a sort of distance from the Sebastian he has become. A cacophony of bodies and drugs do not contribute to a healthy or stable atmosphere conductive to productivity. As one man chimes, Max seems to be “a wholesome boy on the surface, but all filth underneath.” How deeply is Max willing to go to be published? Max’s liberation may come with other costs, or it could free him entirely from his societal shackles.
Many elements expressly play out just to make a certain subset of viewers uncomfortable. They should be—censorship has no place in the queer community. Authenticity and stellar filmmaking meet to create a thrilling supernova of gay drama. Mikko Makela’s distinct vision coupled with an unforgettable star-making turn from Ruaridh Mollica mold Sebastian into excellence. A relatively simple concept eventually evolves into one of the best queer festival dramas I have seen in quite some time.
Sebastian screened at 2024’s Sundance Film Festival. Look out for a release date soon from LevelK Studios.
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