I've always had kind of a love hate relationship with Chinese historical BLs. Some are genuinely excellent, but then there are others that cram in so much plot that keeping track of all the layers of betrayal and scheming gets exhausting, and I end up checking out mentally. Part of the issue is also just how much content is out there in this space, so something really has to stand out to keep me hooked. In this case, the production value is genuinely impressive, top tier stuff, but story wise, I just couldn't bring myself to actually care about these characters. There's a ton of political scheming and backstage manipulation running throughout. Somewhere in the middle of all that chaos, a hostage ends up falling for his own Prince Charming. The show runs eight episodes, each around 50 to 60 minutes long. After spending three years guarding the border, Fifth Prince Yin Qi gets called back to the capital because of a secret letter, only to end up walking straight into a deadly...
This was a very unusual queer film. A random mix of religion, questioning sexuality and exorcism. And at many places it was unexpected comical (not in a funny way).
4 bible thumping young people are trying to bring the Lord into the lives of people in the ghetto. The lead is Eli with Jordan and 2 girls. Jordan is totally fixated with Eli and we see how he is constantly aroused by his physical presence as well. One of the girls catches Jordan masturbating watching Eli and this creates weirdness in the group, with everyone calling hime a 'pervert'. But things start getting worse when their home gets attacked by the goons. Now, in addition to a local woman, Jordan slowly starts showing signs of demonic possession. Luckily, Eli is a self proclaimed exorcist and he’s ready to do battle with the sinister entity residing inside his friend… but not even faith can protect him from the true evil found within.
I am not sure what I was really expecting from the film. I thought it would be another one of those 'Latter Days' kinda film but the plot was definitely not what I had imagined. There was a lot of t alking and at quite a few places it got very preachy and religion focussed. I feel the film could have gone a notch up if there were some more surprise elements added or something else done. When the film ends, I felt a missed opportunity. The is filled with pining and lusting and fantasizing that it slightly arouses us in anticipation and hope that the Eli & Jordan would get physical but sadly that never happens. The film is shot in a single home at a super low budget. The handsome Eli and wel acted Jordan make up for the low marks.
This film will not be everyone's cup of tea given its a weird mix genre about gay urges, christianity, exorcism, baptism and street gangs. It is all over the place. (3/10)
4 bible thumping young people are trying to bring the Lord into the lives of people in the ghetto. The lead is Eli with Jordan and 2 girls. Jordan is totally fixated with Eli and we see how he is constantly aroused by his physical presence as well. One of the girls catches Jordan masturbating watching Eli and this creates weirdness in the group, with everyone calling hime a 'pervert'. But things start getting worse when their home gets attacked by the goons. Now, in addition to a local woman, Jordan slowly starts showing signs of demonic possession. Luckily, Eli is a self proclaimed exorcist and he’s ready to do battle with the sinister entity residing inside his friend… but not even faith can protect him from the true evil found within.
I am not sure what I was really expecting from the film. I thought it would be another one of those 'Latter Days' kinda film but the plot was definitely not what I had imagined. There was a lot of t alking and at quite a few places it got very preachy and religion focussed. I feel the film could have gone a notch up if there were some more surprise elements added or something else done. When the film ends, I felt a missed opportunity. The is filled with pining and lusting and fantasizing that it slightly arouses us in anticipation and hope that the Eli & Jordan would get physical but sadly that never happens. The film is shot in a single home at a super low budget. The handsome Eli and wel acted Jordan make up for the low marks.
This film will not be everyone's cup of tea given its a weird mix genre about gay urges, christianity, exorcism, baptism and street gangs. It is all over the place. (3/10)

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