There’s nothing quite like an LGBTQIA+ indie gem at any given film festival. This one, co-written and directed by Fernando Andrés, hones in on the platonic best friendship between two men as they attempt to live a full year fleeting from place to place without paying any rent. Aptly titled Rent Free, those who favor slice-of-life style dramedies and simple pleasures will truly get a kick out of this delightful queer romp. Filming alternately in both Austin, Texas and New York City serves to highlight both locales, and also makes for an impressively perfect fit to play at the annual Tribeca Film Festival.
Bisexual photographer Jordan (David Treviño) and his gay BFF, Ben (Jacob Roberts), seem to be on the cusp of greatness during their trip from Austin to NYC. Ben vibes with New York much more than Texas, and has plans to move in with Rob (Jeff Kardesch) and his girlfriend, Lindsay (Annabel O’Hagan), to stay semi-permanently. On the other hand, Jordan, who has been unemployed since the pandemic of 2020, struggles to pay rent monthly, but has his girlfriend, Anna (Molly Leach), to lean on. For their last day together in the city, Ben suggests they try not spending money on anything. As a New Yorker myself, the prospect of going to the city and not spending a single dollar is quite hilarious indeed. To do virtually any activity, it will cost a hefty chunk of change. In a rather smart and humorous opening credits sequence, Jordan and Ben do whatever they can to avoid spending a cent, including jumping subway entrances and getting a “child” pass at museums.
The film at large takes the concept of roaming a city for free for a day many steps further. By every fault of their own, these two extremely flawed characters make grave errors that force them to reconsider their prospective living situations. Subsequently, they spend almost the entire movie living rent free. It all starts when a weed-high Ben makes moves on married Rob, and Lindsay walks in on Ben servicing her husband. With nowhere to go, Ben heads back to Austin to temporarily live with Rob and Anna. Anna, however, is fed up with Jordan’s aimlessness. Why should she pay for rent for all three of them? From here, Ben and Jordan travel together from person to person, crashing on couches, in spare rooms, at guests houses, and more. Rent Free is careful to show us the address of each place they stay, along with how many bedrooms and bathrooms, and the cost per month. This device cleverly keeps us up to speed on their living situation.
Fernando Andrés frequently toys with stylistic flourishes, such as split screen to portray the very different lifestyles of Jordan and Ben. The two are so different in so many ways. Flawed characters are often the most fun to follow, and the decisions both of them make are so self-destructive that at times it may be difficult to sympathize with their scenarios. Tyler Rugh finds the humor in these offbeat situations, with conversations coming across completely natural between friends. Juxtaposing Jordan against Ben makes sense given their vastly different outlooks on life. This marks the second teaming of Andrés and Rugh after 2022’s Three Headed Beast; while I was personally not a fan of that film, the duo appear to have augmented the romance and drama elements that worked there into a decidedly superior product all-around.
Queer stories from queer filmmakers are always worthy of celebrating, and this unique film is no exception. David Treviño and Jacob Roberts are the perfect foil to the other’s energy. While obviously lacking in flashy action or the glossy polish of a big-budget studio project, the relatable qualities and complex characterizations explore a facet of male friendship we do not often see portrayed onscreen. Rent Free single-handedly celebrates the experiences of two troubled grown-ups who still have a hell of a lot of growing up to do.
Rent Free screened at 2024’s Tribeca Film Festival.
