June 19, 2025

🎬 I’m Not Gay (2020) – Movie Review
Bold, awkwardly funny, and surprisingly heartfelt, I’m Not Gay (2020) is an indie coming-of-age dramedy that tackles identity, denial, and the journey toward self-acceptance with humor and raw honesty. Written and directed by fictional filmmaker Luca Ramirez, the film walks a tightrope between comedy and emotional realism, never mocking its characters—but gently exposing their vulnerability.

The story follows Eli Porter (played with quirky charm by Logan Lerman), a college sophomore who insists—loudly and often—that he’s “totally straight,” despite a series of increasingly obvious signs to the contrary. Set on a liberal arts campus where everyone seems confident in who they are, Eli becomes the punchline of his own inner conflict.

His world flips when he’s paired for a class project with Nico (Noah Centineo), an openly gay theatre student who’s everything Eli is not: confident, unapologetic, and emotionally in tune. What starts as tension turns into an awkward friendship, then a beautifully restrained slow burn of emotional awakening.

Ramirez’s script is full of clever dialogue and awkward silences that feel incredibly real. The humor is rooted in discomfort—Eli’s efforts to “prove” his masculinity include an ill-fated trip to a strip club, a cringe-worthy date with a girl he has nothing in common with, and a night of karaoke that ends in a spontaneous emotional breakdown.

But beneath the laughs lies a sincere exploration of sexuality, fear, and identity in the age of labels and expectations. The climax, set during a chaotic dorm party, is a masterclass in quiet revelation, with Lerman’s performance delivering a gut-punch of suppressed emotion.

Verdict:
I’m Not Gay (2020) is a smart, sensitive, and hilarious indie gem that doesn’t offer easy answers but embraces the complexity of coming into one’s truth. It’s not just about being gay or not—it’s about being honest with yourself.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐ (4/5) – Witty, warm, and painfully real. A must-watch for fans of character-driven LGBTQ+ stories with heart.