Is this technically a gay show? Even after getting through the whole thing, that's still kind of tricky to answer. There's never any physical intimacy shown between the two leads, not even a single kiss. What it gives you instead is something that goes way deeper than that. It traces an emotional bond that spans a full decade between two guys who are both dealing with their own baggage, and what they share basically amounts to being soulmates. The story moves across Japan, South Korea, and Berlin. Honestly, whether people want to call what they have a romantic relationship or not doesn't really matter to me. A relationship doesn't need a label like boyfriends attached to it to actually mean something. And closeness doesn't need to be physical to feel genuine. What this show captures is something quieter but way more powerful, a bond rooted in understanding, respect, and just showing up for each other. Across eight episodes, each running 35 to 45 minutes, this is one...
Kristian is a drifter, lurking around campsites under the pretense of being a bird-watcher. When he arrives to Lotus Cove, a clothing optional queer campground by a lake in New Hampshire, his handsome face and tight tattooed body make him an instant hit. Kristian quickly ingratiates himself with the group and gains their trust as he starts the endless sexual escapades with the camp members. The group consists a variety of queer ranging from cisgender and white like himself, to the more effeminate stereotype, to couples who also swing, and the lone woman among this ragtag group.Taking advantage of the welcoming environment around him, and the endless offers of sexual experiences, Kristian begins to act out his dark fantasies on the group, picking them one by one, having rough sex and killing them all by strangling.
This film expresses both the naturalism of a more open sexual identity and the danger that comes from automatic confidence and acceptance of a stranger in a certain environment. It’s clear to the viewer from the outset that Kristian isn’t as nice and friendly as he appears to be, and it doesn’t take long for him to claim his first victim during the throes of passion. Kristian emotes very little so it’s hard to understand if he’s committing his crimes for kicks or purely because he can. It’s hard to know if the film is commenting on the dangerous side of being queer or just trying to deliver an erotic thriller. Across the film’s almost 90-minute run time, we barely learn anything about Kristian and it’s incredibly hard to connect with him on any level. Some backstory may have helped but the character seems to be two-dimensional with no depth to speak of. The visuals of the woods and the lake are stunning and one wishes to take a nice holiday in some such place, but there is nothing much more. Also, what I don't understand is how none of these folks who he is having sex with try to put up any struggle to save them. What starts off as a sexual pleasure becomes very clear that Kristian is after their life. None of the characters have any chemistry with one another. ‘Birder’ has an interesting premise but sadly it’s one that isn’t explored in enough depth. The sex scenes will probably bring in plenty of viewers but the story is going to leave them cold. (4/10)
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