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Alex Strangelove

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Alex Strangelove
Release poster
Directed byCraig Johnson
Written byCraig Johnson
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyHillary Spera
Edited byJennifer Lee
Music byNathan Larson
Production
companies
Distributed byNetflix
Release dates
  • April 14, 2018 (2018-04-14) (SFF)
  • June 8, 2018 (2018-06-08) (United States)
Running time
99 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Alex Strangelove is a 2018 American romantic comedy film written and directed by Craig Johnson and starring Daniel Doheny, Antonio Marziale, and Madeline Weinstein.

The film had its world premiere at the San Francisco International Film Festival on April 14, 2018. It was released on Netflix on June 8, 2018.

Plot

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High school student Alex Truelove has been friends with Claire since freshman year. They host a popular web series about animals and plan to attend Columbia University together. In senior year, after discovering her mother has cancer and is frequently in the hospital, she and Alex share a moment where Alex comforts her. They kiss and then begin dating. Eight months into their relationship, Alex is embarrassed in front of his friends as he is still a virgin. He is also nervous as Claire has had sex before. He and Claire make a plan to book a hotel room to have sex for the first time.

At a party, Alex meets Elliot, an openly gay teenager. Alex's continued interactions with Elliot, who has an obvious crush on Alex, lead him to question his sexuality. Alex confesses to his friend Dell that he believes he might be bisexual, but Dell says that he is just nervous about losing his virginity to Claire and his anxiety has led him to a false conclusion. One day while hanging out in Elliot's bedroom, Alex kisses him, but immediately regrets it and leaves.

During the evening of their first time having sex, Alex blurts out to Claire that he has feelings for someone else and she throws him out. Later, still avoiding Elliot, Alex goes to a party where he drunkenly sleeps with a girl he only just met. Claire catches them, and Alex chases after her when she storms out. He falls into a swimming pool on the way, where repressed memories of him being harassed by homophobic bullies come back to him. Claire finds him by the pool, where he confesses to her that he is gay. They decide to go to prom together anyway.

At prom, Claire reveals she has invited Elliot to be Alex's actual date, knowing that neither of them would make a move on eachother without her "passing the baton". While Alex is initially concerned about everyone watching him, he decides that his affection for Elliot is stronger and kisses him in the middle of the dance floor. Later, Alex creates a video for his web series with Claire detailing his coming out.

Cast

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Production

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In May 2016, it was announced Craig Johnson would write and direct the film, with Jared Goldman, Ben Stiller and Nicholas Weinstock producing the film, under their Red Hour Films banner. STX Entertainment would distribute the film.[1] In April 2017, Netflix acquired the film, with STX Entertainment still producing the film.[2][3] That same month, Daniel Doheny joined the cast of the film.[4] In June 2017, Nik Dodani and Antonio Marziale joined the cast of the film.[5][6]

Filming

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Principal photography began in May 2017.[7]

Release

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The film had its world premiere at the San Francisco International Film Festival on April 14, 2018.[8] It was released on June 8, 2018, on Netflix.[9]

Reception

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On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 84% based on 25 reviews, and an average rating of 6.1/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Alex Strangelove offers a refreshingly insightful – and fittingly adult – take on teen sexuality enlivened by smart humor and a fearlessly progressive approach."[10] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 62 out of 100, based on 10 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[11]

References

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  1. ↑ McNary, Dave (May 9, 2016). "STX Partners With Ben Stiller for 'Alex Strangelove' Comedy". Variety. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  2. ↑ Kroll, Justin (April 13, 2017). "Netflix Lands 'Alex Strangelove' From 'Wilson' Director Craig Johnson (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on April 15, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  3. ↑ Uhlich, Keith (May 2, 2018). "'Alex Strangelove' Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  4. ↑ Kroll, Justin (April 20, 2017). "'Alex Strangelove' to Star Newcomer Daniel Doheny (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on April 18, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  5. ↑ N'Duka, Amanda (June 15, 2017). "Caitlin Mehner Joins 'Best Of Enemies'; Priyanka Bose Cast In 'Mortal'; Nik Dodani Boards 'Alex Strangelove'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 29, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  6. ↑ N'Duka, Amanda (June 27, 2017). "Hannah Emily Anderson & Brittany Allen To Star In 'What Keeps You Alive'; Antonio Marziale Cast In 'Alex Strangelove'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 16, 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  7. ↑ Miller, Carly (June 16, 2017). "'Alex Strangelove' Filming In Ditmas Park This Week". Bklyner.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Alex Strangelove". San Francisco International Film Festival. Archived from the original on April 18, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  9. ↑ Tracer, Dan (April 10, 2018). "Netflix has another super gay announcement". Queerty.com. Archived from the original on May 2, 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Alex Strangelove". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019. Retrieved October 8, 2025.
  11. ↑ "Alex Strangelove". Metacritic. Archived from the original on November 20, 2018. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
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