"All of Us Strangers" and "La verbena" are December's gay movies recommended

The Hollywood issue  | By Andrew Lerman | 20 th November, 2025| 12:34 am.

Based on the novel Strangers by Taichi Yamada but given a new title, there is something universal about All of Us Strangers. It looks at loneliness and longing, and how fantasy can reconcile the problems of our past, while love and real connection with others can free us from our isolation. But as this unbearably moving film shows, this freedom can be fleeting.

Andrew Scott plays Adam, a screenwriter living alone in a near-empty apartment block outside central London. The film opens with his face glowing orange, reflected on the distant blue city skyline, while an orange light on the horizon absorbs and dazzles the entire frame as the title appears. There is a part of him that is lost, impossibly distant, but in this film we see him search for this lost self in his fantasies and become dazzled by them.

The acceptance of sexuality, a pregnancy, and secrets that turn the story on its head. Film director Rubén Sánchez is committed to LGTBIQ+ visibility in his project La Verbena. A mixture of sensitivity and emotional conflict, with a carefully crafted aesthetic, produced by Carla Fernández. The film, shot in Barcelona, addresses sexual orientation through the complex relationship between Alex and Marc, two old friends.

Gabirle D’Almeida, known for his role in Matthias & Maxime, and Robin Reese bring to life the characters who meet again at a summer festival. A mirror of unspoken realities and secrets, where D’Almeida plays Alex, a young man who is about to become a father and is struggling to accept his homosexuality. Marc’s return from London, played by Reese, brings with it news that will shake up both their lives.

On a hot summer’s night in Barcelona, Alex (Gabriel D’Almeida) and his girlfriend Anna (Aida Quintana) get together with their friends to enjoy a lively party. The unexpected arrival of Marc (Robin Reese), an old friend of Alex’s from London, brings with it revelations that challenge their relationship and explode their secrets. As the party progresses, the characters are forced to confront their own fears and desires in a festive atmosphere. Vervain becomes a catalyst for introspection and self-discovery, testing the bonds of friendship and love. It’s a heartfelt and moving exploration of personal relationships and the complexity of human bonds over the course of an unforgettable evening.