Coming out of the same studio that gave us RuPaul's Drag Race, and stacked with a whole crew of former contestants, Stop! That! Train! plays like RuPaul basically taking a bow for the entire franchise she's built. It's not really a gay film in the traditional sense, but with so many drag stars from Ru's shows popping up alongside a few cameos from well known out gay actors, I figured it earns a spot on this blog anyway. The whole thing is completely over the top, packed with GenZ slang, loud flashy visuals, and humor that's constantly winking at you knowing how ridiculous it is. Going in you'd assume it's meant to be a laugh riot, and a lot of critics online seem to be eating it up, but I just couldn't get into it at all. I've never really been someone who vibes with campy silly stuff like this, so honestly my reaction doesn't surprise me one bit. The setup follows Tess and DeeDee, two low level stewardesses who sneak onto the fancy Glamazonian E...
This film is a really moving drama from Singapore about a drag queen who heads back home to look after his mom as she struggles with dementia. It’s a super heartwarming story that uses a bit of deception to pave the way for healing and self-discovery, exploring themes like family and identity along the way. I haven't actually seen a ton of queer cinema coming out of Singapore, so seeing an LGBTQ+ narrative handled with such an open heart was a really nice change of pace.
The plot kicks off with Jia Hao, a drag queen who has been away from home for years, returning for the funeral of his abusive father. His brother is constantly traveling for work, so when their mother starts showing clear signs of dementia, Jia Hao decides to step up and become her full-time caregiver since healthcare is so pricey. During one episode where his mom completely forgets who he is, he impulsively pretends to be her daughter just to keep her calm. From there, the movie turns into a tender story about Jia Hao caring for her in this new role—taking her out to eat with friends, doing her makeup, and just making sure she has a good time. His boyfriend, a photographer from Taiwan, stays by his side through the whole ordeal to help out. Even his brother, who starts off pretty hateful toward Jia Hao, eventually comes around. Along the way, a bunch of family secrets start spilling out, including one massive shocker that hits the characters and the audience just as hard, but it’s all handled with a lot of grace.
The movie starts out feeling pretty heavy and dramatic, but the tone eventually shifts into something more lighthearted, like a crowd-pleasing family comedy. I liked how it jumped between Jia’s flashy drag performances and the daily grind of caregiving; it really captured the highs and lows of dementia, from simple forgetfulness to the much scarier moments. It also doesn't shy away from showing how tough it is to be gender-nonconforming in a place where government policies and general society aren't always accepting. The banter between Jia Hao and his mom is honestly a highlight. He can be pretty sarcastic, which might seem rude to some, but he’s always real with her, and it’s sweet to see her eventually embrace his personality and who he is.
Jia Hao is the absolute heart of the film, and the performance is just remarkable. He refuses to let anyone’s bias define him, and his resilience is so impressive, showing a deep-seated confidence that masks a lot of hidden sadness and loneliness. It’s great to watch all the characters grow—Jia Hao lets go of his old bitterness, the older brother finally takes some responsibility, and the mom finds peace with her past. I also really liked the boyfriend character; he was just a steady, quiet presence who genuinely helped care for the mom too. It’s a great example of how to mix humor with social commentary, even if it’s not perfect. That twist at the end about the adoption felt a bit unnecessary to me and added some extra melodrama that the story didn't really need, but it was still a very solid effort.
It's a beautiful and touching story about family reconciliation that manages to be funny and sad at the same time, anchored by a powerhouse lead performance. (7/10)
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