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Geek Vibes Nation
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
'Unicorns' (2025) Review – Finding Love And Identity In A Restless World
From the moment our eyes fall on Aysha, the world shifts. It's the perfect character for the perfect film; vibrant, energetic, funny, and free-spirited. Not only is the dull Luke mesmerized, but so are we. With Unicorns , Sally El Hosaini and James Krishna Floyd create a drama that defies categorization. Characters are a blend of backgrounds, ethnicities, and sexual orientations. Sexual fluidity is the name of the game between Luke, a straight man, and Aysha, a femme drag queen (Ashiq's 'realism' drag persona), whose lives collide and intertwine unexpectedly, allowing their similarities to counteract their differences and love to bring them together. The script deftly crafts the inner and outer rich worlds of Luke and Aysha. It effortlessly engages the viewers, stirring their curiosity to wonder about the two leads equally. We become so invested in their worlds that following the narrative doesn't become a burden as much as it is a pleasure and a joy. One of the scenes that truly touched my soul is Aysha (as Ashiq) performing wudu (the Islamic ritual washing before prayers) and praying. It is the first time I see it through the eyes of a liberated, anti-stereotypical Muslim character like that. A Muslim femme drag queen who, instead of discarding one of her identities, embodies both Muslim and realism queen, but beyond labels, she defies everything. Floyd perfectly outlines the complexity of Muslim identity in ways that few films before this have accomplished. This results in scenes that would be an eye-opener for everyone, especially people not from the South Asian community, and a portal into fascinating, exquisite dynamics between people whose differences can't be more stark, but their similarities are what bring them together and reveal their humanity. Val The Brown Queen as 'Zina', Saba Shiraz as 'Rehana', and Jamie Tank as 'Saira' Credit: Unicorns Film Production Limited The contrast between Aysha and Luke is fascinating to witness; the more reserved and emotionally closed in he is, the freer she becomes. Their relationship blossoms into the beautiful complexity of our modern times, where gender, roles, and stereotypes are thankfully waning away, leaving place for a more liberated approach to love and gender expression. In their quest for identity, both Luke and Aysha succeed in finding peace and bridging the distance between their lives and backgrounds. Aysha liberates Luke, allowing him to tap into places inside himself he never thought existed. Her spirited boldness and sassiness bring out the best in him. Luke is drawn into Aysha's world, the underground gaysian scene in London. His dull, rough life as a single father and struggling mechanic opens up to the queen's world of makeup, jewelry, and fancy fabrics. But the film is not devoid of some darker moments, ones that could be difficult to watch, but in the greatest context of the story, they are emphasize the film's key message: one can feel so alone in their community and circle of family and friends, only to meet a stranger from a completely different world, and realize they are on the same wavelength, in the least expected way. Jason Patel as 'Aysha', Ben Hardy as 'Luke', and Taylor Sullivan as 'Jamie' Credit: Unicorns Film Production Limited This would have never succeeded without the exceptional performances from their main and supporting cast. Jason Patel is brilliant, both as Aysha and Ashiq. It's incredible that this is his film debut because he's a natural in front of the camera; his energy and charm flow effortlessly, and you can't take your eyes off him every time he's on screen. A true scene stealer. Ben Hardy as Luke is equally brilliant. Despite Patel being the scene stealer, it's not easy for Hardy to play an emotionally suppressed character who finally finds the courage to be vulnerable when he finds love. There's no Aysha without Luke, and no Luke without Aysha. They create this contrasting presence that really sets the tone for the movie's narrative. Unicorns is bold, romantic, colorful, and enjoyable from start to finish. But it has layers of depth underneath the surface. At its core, it's a movie about the courage it takes to become our truth, disregarding any labels in the process. Unicorns is currently playing in select theaters courtesy of Cohen Media Group. Unicorns is bold, romantic, colorful, and enjoyable from start to finish. But it has layers of depth underneath the surface. At its core, it's a movie about the courage it takes to become our truth, disregarding any labels in the process. User Ratings ( 0 Votes) 0 Jaylan Salah Salman is an Egyptian poet, translator, and film critic for InSession Film, Geek Vibes Nation, and Moviejawn. She has published two poetry collections and translated fourteen books for International Languages House publishing company. She began her first web series on YouTube, 'The JayDays,' where she comments on films and other daily life antics. On her free days, she searches for recipes to cook while reviewing movies.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
What is sexual fluidity? Everything you need to know about this misunderstood identity
JoJo Siwa spent 2024 proudly rebranding herself as a 'gay pop star,' then spent 2025 removing the L for the Q and ending up with a man. Fans screamed 'plot twist,' but for many young queers, it was relatable. Sometimes feelings and identities take a shift, and it's not always black and white how that change comes about. So what do we call that ebb-and-flow vibe? Therapists use the term sexual fluidity: attraction that can shift over time, across genders, or in response to life stages. To understand this frequently misunderstood part of the LGBTQ+ community PRIDE spoke with a therapist, an educator, and a coming out coach to help unpack the concept, bust myths, and offer advice if your labels suddenly feel slippery. If you feel confused as you explore your identity, the first thing is to remember you are far from the only one who goes through that. Kate Logan, Marriage & Family Therapist Associate (AMFT) at Gender Wellness Los Angeles, tells PRIDE, 'Sexual fluidity means your understanding of your sexual orientation—or even your gender identity—isn't fixed. It can shift over time.' Logan stresses that fluidity is about possibility, not chaos. For example, someone might feel lesbian for years, then discover genuine attraction to another gender, or vice versa. That openness distinguishes fluidity from identities like bisexuality or pansexuality, which describe consistent attraction to multiple genders. 'Sexual fluidity is about flow,' she says. 'It might be subtle or rapid, but it reflects that our experiences of attraction can change. And that's perfectly valid.' Relationship therapist Aimee Evnin-Bingham, LMFT, says calling fluidity "just a phase" is nonsense. 'Most people are 'fluid' with what they like,' she says. 'Sexual fluidity gives people space to be open to their desires and connect with their needs deeper.' Data backs her up. Gen Z reports the highest rates of non-straight identities ever recorded. According to sex-positive educator Anna Richards of Frolicme, up to one-third of Gen Zers identify somewhere on the queer spectrum. Regarding the idea that fluidity is a phase, Richards adds that it 'can be phasic in nature. What's important is believing people regardless of their orientation at the time.' Lightfield Studios/Shutterstock The younger generation has had the fortune of growing up with terms like bisexual, pansexual, and nonbinary. Even though there's still stigma to overcome, they were also able to explore their sexuality a lot more openly than the generations that came before them. According to Anne-Marie Zanzal, a coach who works with people who come out later in life, the newest generations see fluidity as 'a valid and enduring experience of sexuality' and not just a stepping stone into a more 'stable' identity. 'However, in some circles, especially where binaries still dominate, fluidity can still be dismissed or misunderstood as indecisiveness or confusion,' she says. 'Our queer sensibilities are often formed during the time which we come out.' While the younger generations may see fluidity as normal or even expected, she says that older generations, particularly those who were socialized in more rigid or heteronormative environments, may feel shame, confusion, denial, or even fear if their sexuality shifts. Wherever you land on the journey, she says, 'Be gentle with yourself. You are not behind. You are right on time. There are many, many people exploring their sexual and/or gender orientation later in life. Find community—people who will hold space for the messy, beautiful, uncertain parts of this journey. Know that your story is valid whether you change your label once, never, or a dozen times. You don't need a label to begin.' As with any other identity, there are a number of myths that surround sexual fluidity and add to the lack of support for the representation. One myth is that being fluid automatically makes you more promiscuous by nature, which Logan argues against. 'Fluidity is about the potential for change in attraction, not about behavior,' she says. Outside of promiscuity, another myth is that more women are sexually fluid than men. She assures, 'Men, too, tend to respond to sexual stimuli such as erotic videos or images of both men and women. More men are expressing their sexual fluidity as the stigma on male same-sex encounters lifts.' One of the more damaging myths—and a big reason people have expressed unfair anger at Siwa—is the thought that fluid people undermine a 'real' gay or lesbian identity. Evnin-Bingham disagrees. 'Being sexually fluid can be anxiety-provoking as our society pushes us to 'pick a side' or 'pick an orientation,'' she says. 'People can feel ostracized from queer spaces if they do not 'fit the bill' of what a societally queer person means. Thus, most people who are sexually fluid do not talk about their needs or feel like they have space to connect with others around their identity as frequently.' Ladanifer/Shutterstock If you're questioning things, give yourself permission to do so. As Evnin-Bingham reminds, 'It is a person's choice on how to identify and how to feel about their sexual orientation. It is their right to play and explore different sexual needs and desires in order to understand their attraction more. Richards agrees, saying that dating apps can be a good way to explore your sexuality at any stage of life. 'Try expanding your matches to people of the gender you're looking to explore,' she says. 'If you feel self-conscious, you can explain in your profile or opening messages that this is new for you. There are many people in the same situation, so have fun!' Logan also encourages to experiment at your own pace and allow for stability when the opportunity arises. 'Being fluid doesn't mean you're constantly changing,' she says. 'Sometimes it's more like a slow-moving river—steady for a while, then shifting. You can feel completely settled for a time and still be fluid. It's about having the capacity for change, not constantly being in motion.' Fluidity helps dismantle the 'either/or' script mainstream society loves. As Zanzal puts it, 'Queerness is resistance to binaries. It says you can be both/and, or neither, or something else entirely.' So whether Siwa's next single celebrates a girlfriend, a boyfriend, or her own damn self, the takeaway is the same: attraction is personal, evolutionary, and nobody's business but yours. If your heart is tugging you somewhere new, that's not a glitch. That's your truth—flow with it.
