The debut trailer for “Love Lies Bleeding,” an upcoming lesbian bodybuilding thriller featuring Kristen Stewart, was recently released, offering everything a queer cinema enthusiast might desire. It includes an ’80s synthpop soundtrack, Stewart sporting a white muscle tee, numerous scenes showcasing Katy O’Brian’s impressive muscles, and a sneak peek at an intimate scene between the two, all within the first 45 seconds.
On Tuesday morning, the independent film company A24 unveiled the trailer, providing an early look at this eagerly awaited crime thriller. In the film, Stewart portrays Lou, described as a “reclusive gym manager,” who becomes romantically involved with Jackie (played by O’Brian), a bodybuilder. However, the storyline is far from a typical romance. The trailer begins with an FBI agent inquiring about Lou’s recent interactions with her father.
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From “Shortbus” to “The Handmaiden,” explicit LGBTQ+ sex scenes on screen are not a novel concept. The role of Lou’s father, played by Ed Harris, is shrouded in mystery, aside from his intimidating demeanor and firearm usage. Jackie gets involved with Lou’s father in a job that might be related to a shooting range, involving stacks of cash and more gunplay. Tragically, a murder occurs, and Lou is seen disposing of a body in a rug. It appears that Lou intends to betray her father, as inferred from a phone conversation where he questions if she is threatening him and she affirms.
The trailer intensifies with a fast-paced montage featuring police vehicles, Jackie’s mugshot, and more intimate scenes between Jackie and Lou. The trailer’s climax is reminiscent of the “Telephone” music video, showing Lou and Jackie in a pickup truck with the aforementioned body, hinting that the person might still be alive.
“Love Lies Bleeding” is directed by Rose Glass and co-written by Glass and Weronika Tofilska. Glass’s previous work includes the 2018 film “Saint Maud,” known for its sapphic undertones. Unlike the subtle horror of “Saint Maud,” “Love Lies Bleeding” promises to deliver a dynamic and thrilling lesbian narrative, a genre that has been scarce in recent years.
The release of “Love Lies Bleeding” is scheduled for March 8, 2024, in theaters.
