Luca Guadagnino's latest work, "Queer," is an erotic drama that seeks to provide closure to the unfinished narrative of William S. Burroughs' classic novel, which the author began writing in the 1950s and posthumously published in 1985. The story draws heavily from Burroughs' own life, particularly his struggles with heroin addiction during his time in Mexico City, setting a backdrop for a tale of love and desire between two characters.

In the film, we follow William Lee, portrayed by Daniel Craig, who develops a fascination for Eugene Allerton, played by Drew Starkey. This dynamic echoes Burroughs' real-life love affair and the emotional turmoil he experienced. Lee, seeking to gain telepathic abilities, embarks on a journey with Allerton through South America in pursuit of a hallucinogenic drug known as Yage (ayahuasca). Interestingly, while the novel does not culminate in their finding of Yage, the film takes a more visceral direction with their drug experience, which leads to a series of vividly surreal and surreal body-fusion hallucinations.

Critics have noted the film’s trippy sequences, where the characters experience telepathy, fostering an intense but fleeting connection. In a powerful moment, Allerton declares he's "not queer" but "disembodied," highlighting his aversion to defining their relationship. Guadagnino collaborated with screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes and Burroughs expert Oliver Harris to reconstruct the unfinished elements of the narrative, aiming to honor the author’s intent while providing a conclusion.

The final act of "Queer" is particularly compelling, taking us two years post-journey to Lee's return to Mexico City. Here, instead of the anticipated reunion with Allerton, viewers witness Lee's descent into hallucinatory reflection involving motifs tied to Burroughs' own past traumas, particularly a tragic incident involving the accidental shooting of his wife, Joan Vollmer. This grim backdrop serves as a powerful commentary on the intersections of love, loss, and identity.

The film concludes with Lee, now older and nearing death, envisioning Allerton in his bed, symbolizing the lasting impact of their connection despite the passage of time and the complexity of their emotions. Guadagnino emphasizes that "Queer" is ultimately a romantic ode to the profound bond between Lee and Allerton, irrespective of their emotional entanglements throughout their shared odyssey.