For decades, Queer was considered the lost novel of William S. Burroughs—a raw, unfiltered expression of longing and isolation, written in the 1950s but only published in 1985. Now, director Luca Guadagnino has brought this work to the screen, shaping it into an intimate, hauntingly beautiful love story that challenges conventional narratives of queer relationships in film. Starring Daniel Craig as the emotionally vulnerable William Lee and Drew Starkey as the elusive Eugene Allerton, Queer reinterprets Burroughs’ deeply personal journey through 1950s Mexico City with a vision that is as tender as it is uncompromising.
The Long Road to Queer
For Guadagnino, the journey to Queer began in his teenage years, when he first encountered Burroughs’ work. “I’m not particularly original in being a teenager who discovered the very inspiring William S. Burroughs,” he admits. “But once I’d read Queer, I found his name had an iconicity that led me to dig deeper into his world. I’ve been thinking about Burroughs, looking for Burroughs, and paraphrasing Burroughs all my life. He’s one of my real hooks of imagery on which I can try to climb up this very steep wall of creativity.”
This lifelong connection with Burroughs was crucial when it came to adapting Queer, a novel that was left unfinished and unpolished, written in the throes of grief following the tragic death of Burroughs’ wife. The book, which follows William Lee’s pursuit of the younger, emotionally distant Allerton, is often described as unrequited love. But for Guadagnino, that was never the story he wanted to tell.
“This is a universal story about love, and the way in which people can reciprocate love or the tragedy of not being in the same place at the same time, but both being in love,” he explains.
Finding an Ending for an Unfinished Story
One of the most significant challenges of adapting Queer was that the book lacks a traditional third act. Burroughs’ narrative simply trails off, mirroring the incompleteness of his own emotional journey. Guadagnino and screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes had to decide how to give the film a sense of resolution while staying true to Burroughs’ spirit.
“In the book, Lee and Allerton meet Doctor Cotter, but they are not given the ayahuasca, or yagé, that they seek,” Guadagnino says. “We asked ourselves, ‘What if they finally got hold of it—where would it take them?’” The result is a cinematic exploration of love and altered consciousness that offers an answer to Burroughs’ existential question: “How can a man who sees and feels be [anything] other than sad?”
The Vulnerability of Daniel Craig’s William Lee
One of the film’s most intriguing elements is Daniel Craig’s casting as William Lee. Known for his tough, often guarded performances, Craig brings a striking vulnerability to the role. Guadagnino had no doubts about his ability to inhabit Lee’s longing and self-destructive desire.
“I know that Daniel is one of the great actors of his generation. And when I met him, I discovered a very warm man,” Guadagnino shares. “His commitment was complete and total. The way he portrays the vulnerability and candour of Lee is astonishing.”
Craig’s performance is a departure from his more physically imposing roles, instead offering a portrayal of a man trapped in his own yearning. His Lee is fragile, desperate for connection, yet unable to articulate his feelings in a way that Allerton—played with a subtle magnetism by Drew Starkey—can fully engage with.
Queer Representation and the Question of Casting
In a time when conversations around LGBTQ+ representation in film are prolific, Guadagnino addressed the question of whether a gay actor should have been cast as William Lee. His response is refreshingly direct.
“It’s quite insulting, as a homosexual man myself, to consider the possibility that casting a homosexual man to play the role of Lee would make it more real,” he says. “As if one person is defined entirely by their gender identity or their sexuality. I think it’s about what you can do as a performer and an artist. The depth that Daniel Craig brings is profound.”
The film also marks a breakout moment for Drew Starkey, who plays Allerton with a quiet restraint that contrasts with Lee’s intensity. Guadagnino credits Craig with helping to find the perfect actor for the role.
“Once I found my partner in Daniel for the film, it was an absolute no-brainer that the process of finding Allerton had to involve Daniel,” he says. Starkey, discovered through a taped audition for another project, stood out among hundreds of actors. “At around three hundred tapes, we said, ‘There really is no need to look any further because Drew is it.’”
A Love Story That Defies Convention
Queer is a film that refuses to adhere to easy categorisations. It is not a straightforward romance, nor is it a cold, detached study of loneliness. Instead, it feels uniquely true to Burroughs’ legacy—deeply felt, ambiguous, and tinged with both melancholy and hope.
As Guadagnino sees it, the film reclaims Queer as a love story that Burroughs himself may not have been able to fully express at the time. “Burroughs was very shy, and the book wasn’t published for 35 years, partly because it was too close to home. He was a tender soul in search of love, which we just don’t associate with his literary canon,” he explains.
With Queer, Guadagnino has crafted a film that is not only a tribute to Burroughs but also a meditation on the nature of love itself and its enduring power to shape us.
Queer is in New Zealand cinemas from Thursday 3 April.
