12 Queer Films to Explore for Father's Day

Relationships between fathers and their children has historically been a point of contention within queer narratives. So many stories reflect the real world angst, drama and danger that can come from toxic masculinity. However, with cultural shifts and changing attitudes, modern queer cinema has embraced the positivity that can come from relationships between queer children and their fathers, as well as the rising prevalence of queer dads themselves. With Father's Day one week away, here are 12 queer films that highlight relationships between father and child. Leave a comment below if we missed any of your favorites. Warning: Spoilers Ahead!

 

The Baby (2023)
The French film stars Fabrice Luchini as Joseph Siprien, a man who learns that his son and his son's partner have perished in an accident. After discovering that they were expecting a child via surrogate in Belgium, Joseph weighs his grief with his advancing age and makes the decision to pursue custody of the unborn child as a way of prolonging his son's legacy, despite not knowing if his son was the unborn child's biological father. The film highlights the dedicated and unwaivering love that a father can have for his queer child, even after the child's passing. Despite his fears over his ability, and being faced with the fierce and self-assured young surrogate Rita (Mara Taquin), Joseph grows determined to become a grandfather as a way of celebrating his son's life and securing his child's legacy that was cut short by tragedy.

 

The Mattachine Family (2023)
The drama centers on Thomas (Nico Tortorella) and Oscar (Juan Pablo Di Pace), husbands who are deeply in love and wanting to expand their family. However, after bonding with their first foster child, they are destroyed when the boy's birth mother reclaims custody. This one act proves to be a turning point in their relationship, as their differing beliefs on how to continue their family puts their relationship on the line. The deep bond and love that both characters feel as parents proves to be the greatest challenge they face. Thomas wants to keep trying for a child, while Oscar is too hurt to explore the possibility. As they are surrounded by their family and friends, receiving their advice and support, the narrative highlights the concept of found family and whether fatherhood is a risk worth taking for queer couples in the face of possible heartbreak.

 

Breakfast with Scot (2007)
The Canadian comedy presents a unique story as ex-hockey player Eric (Tom Cavanagh), now working as a sportscaster, keeps his sexuality and his life with his sports lawyer partner Sam (Ben Shenkman), a secret. When they are left with custody of Sam's nephew, the young flamboyant Scot (Noah Bernett), Eric must confront the conflict between protecting his career and doing what's best for Scot and his happiness. Eric's arc finds him learning to be more confident and more open with his truth, as he observes the young Scot expressing himself openly no matter the consequence. The growing relationship between Scot and Eric highlights the historic concern that many queer men have over presenting a macho exterior. Despite not being Scot's birth father, Eric comes to love Scot and becomes determined to protect his innocence.

 

My Straight Son (2012)
The award-winning gay film from Venezuela tells the story of Diego (Guillermo Garcia), a fashion designer who finds his world turned upside down when his boyfriend Fabrizio (Sócrates Serrano) is left in a coma after a homophobic assault. At the same time, his estranged teenage son Armando (Ignacio Montes) is dropped back into his life. While struggling with the emotion of his relationship, Diego must take care of his close-minded son, as Armando has no knowledge of his father's homosexuality. Father and son must come to terms with one another's lives as the film's narrative promotes the message that, no matter the relationship, we all must try to understand one another's world in order to come together and face the most important things in life which is especially poignant coming from a country not known for embracing queer people.

 

A Complete Life (2013)
The Taiwanese film follows former gangster Wu Shuang Chuan (Ku Pao Ming) as he decides to return home after years in exile. He arrives to several harsh realities, including his wife's death from cancer and the divorce of his son Wu Huai Wen (Sun Peng), who is struggling to raise his rebellious son Wu Yi Heng (Yan Yu Lin). Shuang Chuan is also forced to face the reality of his son's sexuality when he discovers that Huai Wen is living with his "close friend" James (Vince Kao). The situation puts three generations of the Wu family into conflict. To rebuild the relationships within his family, Shuang Chuan is forced to learn patience and understanding for his son and his lifestyle. The film highlights the valuable lessons about love, friendship, and family that fathers can learn and even teach to their queer child.

 

Ideal Home (2018)
On its surface, Ideal Home is presented as a comedy with little heart, as celebrity television chef Erasmus Brumble (Steve Coogan) and his partner and producer Paul (Paul Rudd) are shocked by the appearance of 10-year-old Bill (Jack Gore) on their doorstep, claiming to be Erasmus' grandson. The selfish and bickering couple feel obliged to take the child in, despite having no intention of giving up their extravagant lifestyle in order to become guardians to a previously-unknown child. However, it's not too long before having Bill in their lives begins to transform their attitudes towards parenthood. The film's comedic narrative gives way to a heartwarming story about the nature of family. When Erasumus' estranged son Beau (Jake McDorman) is eventually released from prison, Bill is ripped away from the couple, despite their fight to stay together.

 

The Birdcage (1996)
Though presented as a comedic farce, the queer classic The Birdcage puts a major spotlight on fatherhood and how far queer parents may be willing to go to appease their straight child. Club owner Armand (Robin Williams) agrees to pretend to be straight to support his son Val (Dan Futterman) in meeting his new fiancée's conservative parents. This puts Armand's longtime love Albert (Nathan Lane) in a terrible position, as Val urges him to not be around for the meeting, despite having raised Val alongside Armand. While Armand initially agrees to the ruse, and Albert dresses in drag to pose as Val's mother, they ultimately drop the facade and Val honors his parents by revealing the truth of his family to his proposed in-laws. The message of the film is that family should never be abandoned, but it should also be celebrated, no matter what form it takes.

 

Wandering Heart (2021)
The award-winning emotional drama from Argentina centers on Santiago (Leonardo Sbaraglia), his life as a single gay man, and his relationship with his teenage daughter Laila (Miranda de la Serna). Struggling deeply with a break-up, Santiago's mental health falls into major decline as he also faces the impending departure of his daughter, who looks to break away from his sometimes-obsessive hold on her. Their emotionally charged relationship, coupled with Santiago's fear of being alone, causes him to spiral out of control over one chaotic summer. Like all parents, Santiago must comes to terms with letting his aging daughter go so that they both can find their freedom. It spotlights the struggle that many single parents face, longing to love and be loved, and how that can impact the relationship between father and daughter.  

 

Joe Bell (2020)
The emotional drama, based on a true story, follows Joe (Mark Wahlberg), a small town working-class father who embarks on a walk across the country to crusade against bullying after his son Jadin (Reid Miller) commits suicide. Feeling guilty for minimizing Jadin's struggle as a gay teen in an effort to show strength, the heartbroken Joe travels the world, speaking out to both adults and children about the importance of listening and loving your child, no matter who they are. Along his journey, he sees Jadin at his side, allowing him to come to terms with his regret and spend some final moments with his lost child. His quest to ensure that no child suffers the way that his son did, and that no parent has to bear the burden of losing their child, presents the powerful narrative of a flawed father seeking redemption and peace in the wake of unspeakable tragedy.

 

Father & Son (2015)
The time-bending Thai drama focused on the strained relationship between Ek (Thanapon Prasongsup) and his teenage son Neung (Tuangphop Tunjarern). The gay Neung feels ashamed of his sexuality due to outcry from his community towards his gay father. When his struggle becomes too much, he takes his life. His single father Ek is left crushed. When he receives a supernatural opportunity to change the past, he takes it, and sets out to prevent his son's death. Ek gets the chance to relive Neung's final day to change the event he believes will lead to his son's death. Determined to help his son find peace and thrive, Ek faces every failure with a renewed determination to save his son, reliving the day multiple times to find his son's breaking point. His dedication and willingness to sacrifice everything, even himself, highlights the strength of a father's love.

 

The Invisible Thread (2022)
At the heart of the Italian comedy is the close relationship between the teenager Leone (Francesco Gheghi) and his fathers, Paolo (Filippo Timi) and Simone (Francesco Scianna). In a time when the fight for equality is raging in Italy, Leone creates a documentary for school, highlighting his family's struggles. However, when their marriage hits a rough patch and Simone discovers that Paolo is cheating, the dedicated dads wrestle with how much to tell Leone. And when their parental rights come under scrutiny, they are forced to confront the truth of which dad is Leone's biological father, placing them into further conflict and threatening the once invisible thread that connected the trio. The film highlights the unwavering love between fathers and son, and how it goes both ways as Leone remains proud of his dads, defending them against discrimination.

 

Our Son (2023)
Finding their marriage to no longer be fulfilling, Gabriel (Billy Porter) reveals to his husband Nicky (Luke Evans) that he wants a divorce. This fractures their family unit, which includes their son Owen (Christopher Woodley). As Owen's birth father, the business-oriented Nicky is given custody, shattering Gabriel, who had dedicated his time to being an attentive father. This leads to a bitter custody battle. While Nicky struggles to navigate single parenthood, Gabriel struggles with being separated from his child. The film's narrative relies on the exploration of the characters and their emotions. Throughout their conflict, Nicky & Gabriel must come to the understanding that their role as fathers to their child is bigger than their failed romance and their hurt feelings. The film puts a spotlight on a conflicted queer couple that learns to put their child first.