Sebastian, 2024.
Written and Directed by Mikko Makela.
Starring Ruaridh Mollica, Hiftu Quasem, Ingvar E. Sigurðsson, Jonathan Hyde, Lara Rossi, Leanne Best, David Nellist, Pedro Minas, Fleur Keith, Dylan Brady, Akbar Kurtha, Marcus Macleod, and Laurent Maria.
SYNOPSIS:
Max, a 25-year-old aspiring writer living in London, begins a double life as a sex worker in order to research his debut novel.
Within minutes of Sebastian, the eponymous 25-year-old gay man is thrust into a graphic sex scene, immediately announcing that writer/director Mikko Makela and fearless lead Ruaridh Mollica are dedicated to throwing themselves into capturing an authentic snapshot of sex work in the digital age. However, daring sex scenes are nowhere near the only strong point here, as the film explores confidence and shame within this line of work and how that interacts with personal and professional life, all while running the gamut regarding the types of sexual encounters to be experienced, ranging from superficial, skin-deep lust to meaningful bonds born from loneliness, connection, and desire. It’s also worth pointing out up front that the supporting ensemble is also outstanding.
The reasoning for Max creating the secondary identity Sebastian for getting into sex work adds another layer to the narrative, with this journalist (he is currently conducting research in preparation to interview Brett Easton Ellis) and short story writer is to amass real-world knowledge and experience of digital age sex work as research his first novel. Max has put immense pressure on himself regarding the novel, convinced that he might already be running out of time as some of the greatest authors had already published works before the age of 25.
As Max continues his research and finds himself into more and more nervously exciting scenarios (such as a drug-fueled orgy), his focus on immersing himself in sex work for research also becomes single-minded, with him slipping up on his journalistic work and letting down close friends when it comes to offering suggestions on their pieces. He also takes away that his clients have no shame about any of this, which is something that he agrees with and makes a part of his novel, even if there is clearly more on his mind, such as how his seemingly conservative mother would react to any of this, and the fear of getting recognized by one of his clients in a public space surrounded by peers and associates.
Wisely, Mikko Makela doesn’t take the thriller approach to any of this, remaining fixated on the evolution of Max’s thoughts and the novel’s journey. Ruaridh Mollica delivers an incredible, subdued performance that beautifully and bravely captures moments of confidence, self-discovery, and shame. At a certain point, his research takes him into a more romantic dynamic, one where his client is, at first, more concerned with bonding over art and talking. Naturally, this is also weaved into the novel only for his editor to suggest doing away with that aspect or cutting it down in favor of the steamy encounters. Her reasoning is that it doesn’t feel real, which is obviously ridiculous considering the source of the inspiration.
This all allows Sebastian, as a film, opportunities to give smartly observed commentary on storytelling itself, what consumers will and won’t accept, and narrative trajectory. On top of being an enriching, erotically-charged (just like Passages last year, I’m smelling another unfair, homophobic NC-17 rating) and a brilliantly acted portrayal of double-life navigating and coming to accept the truest version of oneself, it’s a film about authors and their connections to their work. There is a scene where Max asserts to his mother that his short story is purely a work of fiction, but Sebastian inquires whether such a thing is even possible. This is a bold, unflinching work in terms of both studying sex work and the nature of storytelling.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★
Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association and the Critics Choice Association. He is also the Flickering Myth Reviews Editor. Check here for new reviews, follow my Twitter or Letterboxd, or email me at MetalGearSolid719@gmail.com
Originally published January 22, 2024. Updated January 21, 2024.
