Queer Up with Lily & Robin

Two decades after its release, Let The Right One In continues to be one of the most beloved vampire love stories of all time. And yet, it seems many have forgotten, or completely missed, the inherent queerness at its core. In this episode, we investigate the queer history of John Ajvide Lindqvist's masterful debut, and the original Swedish film adaptation, and discuss how we could bring these themes to the forefront.CW: Pedophilia, rape, murder, bullying, violence against children, alcoholism, parental abandonmentReferences:About Eli´s gender by John Ajvide LindqvistLet the Right One In is a Queer Vampire Love Story by Vrai KaiserThe Northlander Sits Down With The Writer Of LET THE RIGHT ONE IN! by Aint It Cool NewsQueerness And The Exploration Of Childhood Sexuality In Let The Right One In by BJ ColangeloOskar Loves Eli: LET THE RIGHT ONE IN And Trans Romance by Fae Basir

One of the most beloved live-action Disney films from the 90s gets a queering up in this episode. We specifically examine two characters and their joint journey towards self-acceptance, while imagining why their story gives big gay vibes. We also take the opportunity to talk generally about this delightful gem of a film, and remind ourselves just how good John Candy was.CW: Mentions of racism, stereotypes, oppressive families, sports injuriesReferences:Cool Runnings: An oral history by Samantha HighfillSome Rough Sledding Making 'Cool Runnings' by John Hartl

In our first episode of the year, we're taking a break from queering up to instead talk about some existing queer media that we enjoy. We'll be recommending some of our favourite queer films, books, and games, in a relaxed chat before we head into 2025 gayer than ever.Films: Tokyo Godfathers (2003)Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same (2011)Merry & Gay (2022)Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)Pride (2014)Books:"Deadendia" by Hamish Steele"Gideon the Ninth" by Tamsyn Muir"Roadqueen: Eternal Roadtrip to Love" by Mira Ong Chua"This Is How You Lose The Time War" by Amal El-Mohtar and Max GladstoneGames: "Secret Little Haven" by Hummingwarp Interactive"Ascension: Transition and Silver" by SulMatul"Get in the Car, Loser" by Love Conquers All Games"Newfound Courage" by Cafe Empty"An Outcry" by Quinn K."Super Lesbian Animal RPG" by ponett"Extreme Meat Punks Forever" by Heather FlowersMusic:Pansy DivisionAgainst MeEthel CainChappell RoanPupil SlicerJasmine.4.t

Everything is pleasant in Pleasantville - until it isn't. In this episode, we watch a film that feels out of time in many ways, but still manages to be strangely prescient. We dig into the many mixed metaphors of Gary Ross' splendid debut film, and see how it could be read a parable for queer awakenings.CW: Mentions of misogyny, racism, racial violence, Nazism, fascismReferences:DVD Commentary by director Gary RossGoing back to ‘Pleasantville’: when doing a DI wasn’t so easy by vfxblogTotally Trans podcast

In a shocking twist to our usual formula, we are compelled to say many nice things about a Tim Burton film. You see, once upon a time, Burton truly had the juice and made a messy masterpiece that's only sort-of a Batman film. We are also extremely proud to welcome our very first guest; the amazing Raptor, who will help us tackle this delightful disaster.Follow her on https://cohost.org/RaptorCW: Child abuse, murder, misogynyReferences:Batman Returns (1992) feat. Alex Hall by Horror Queers PodcastThe (not) gay movie club – Batman Returns by Jonny StoneTim Burton's Unmade Catwoman Spin-Off Would’ve Been a 'Boys'-Like Experience Ahead of Its Time by Collier Jennings"Look what I found" and "Just like riding a bike" on Michelle Pfeiffer's Instagram

Equilibrium is a film that we have a lot of feelings about, which is perfectly fitting. We take a look at this unfairly maligned flop from the post-Matrix era of philosophical action films, and discuss how its themes of emotional repression, self-expression, and waking up to who you truly are can be turned into a queer story. Also, about how totally awesome gun kata is.CW: Death, suicidal ideation, mental health, anti-depressants, transphobia, homophobia, gender dysphoria, police violence, fascismReferences:Equilibrium Director's Commentary by Kurt WimmerEquilibrium Director and Producer Commentary by Kurt Wimmer and Lucas FosterEquilibrium by Kill James Bond

Well, we've had a good run, so it was about time we watched something mediocre. In this episode, we take a look at Tim Burton's mostly failed attempt to recapture the magic of The Nightmare Before Christmas, and why it fails to make us care for its tepid characters or lifeless love story. It needs a good queering up, and we're just the ones to do it.CW: Mentions of death, suicide, forced marriage, murder, poisonReferences:Tim Burton's World of Sadboys by Infinite Snow ProductionsLooking For Meaning in Tim Burton's Movies | An Analysis by Maggie Mae FishThe Corpse Bride is Actually Jewish by Jewitches

In this episode we learn why Bend It Like Beckham is a modern classic and why it has such a massive queer fanbase. We had to take our own shot at queering up this delightful coming-of-age classic - and explore if there is any truth to the rumour that the film was always intended to be even more gay.CW: Mentions of racism, sexism, homophobia, generational traumaReferences:Q&A: Keira Knightley on Gay Directors, a Lesbian Sequel to 'Bend It Like Beckham' and Her Drag-Inspired Sugar Plum FairySpecial Episode: Gurinder Chadha Spills The Chai on 'Bend It Like Beckham' - The Film & The Musical by Burn It All Down PodcastDropping Lesbian Romance from Beckham the Right Decision by AfterEllen‘Bend It Like Beckham’ isn’t a Queer story, but it’s part of mine by Sarah RahmanBend It, More Like Straighten It: A look at the queer subtext of BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM by Everything You Love is Gay