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Departures

Play trailer 1:15 Poster for Departures Apr 2026 1h 22m Comedy Drama Romance LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
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95% Tomatometer 20 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Benji encounters Jake at an airport gate, sensing attraction. Their relationship unfolds through Amsterdam trips and intimacy, revealing complex power dynamics.

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Departures

Critics Reviews

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David Opie IndieWire May 5
B
For gay viewers especially aligned to these experiences, for those of us familiar with these "dickheads that fucked us over" firsthand, "Departures" is a cult classic in the making. Go to Full Review
Chris Azzopardi New York Times Apr 29
“Departures” is still tender and winsome, with graphic-novel-style animation lightening the load, but is ultimately punishing in tone. It lives by a truth that might ring familiar for gay men particularly: Humor that cuts deep is a form of survival. Go to Full Review
Sam Davies Little White Lies Apr 20
3/5
For all its stylistic, sometimes overwhelming ambition, Departures ultimately feels grounded. Go to Full Review
Marlon Wallace The M Report (WBOC.com) 1d
The film follows Benji and Jake's Amsterdam trips, almost monthly for nearly 2 years. It's comparable to Brokeback Mountain (2005) but more like "Brokeback Amsterdam." Go to Full Review
Joey Moser The Contending May 5
Ely & Eyre-Morgan’s film holds its emotions and its moments with a welcome, hopeful heart. Go to Full Review
James Kleinmann The Queer Review Apr 30
4/5
Bold and ambitious...Despite the heavy themes it deals with, Departures is an entertaining watch. Through the film’s dark humour and vivid characters, emerges a cathartic and ultimately hopeful tale of breaking through trauma. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Carl M. @cmanPSP 2h I truly truly wanted to love this film, however the characters were drowning so deeply in their own patheticness that I could barely finish watching. Yes there are dicks out there. Yes people get hurt. And these stories should be told! But neither character had a shred of respect for themselves or each other. Perhaps this would have worked in the 80’s, when all we wanted was representation on screen that wasn’t about AIDS or gay serial killers, but today we deserve more. While “God’s Own Country” feels real, poignant and hopeful, this film fell flat for me, leaving me empty and even a wee bit angry. Even the very end, the character of Benji chooses to connect with yet another troubled soul. And what is it with the British and their compulsive need to get completely blotto in order to open up with each other? Or is that just a cliche? See more Peter O @RT30079399 6d The best gay film since ‘God’s Own Country’. Terrific performances. Honest, Heartfelt and often Hilarious. Look forward to catching it again. See more Doug J May 3 An exceptionally fine film in every respect. Touching, erotic, funny, a great gay love story See more Paul C @nownow54321 May 3 The 2 main characters here are crippled by shame. One is dominant, has a resistance to labels & everything is on his terms. He also shows NPD traits. The other? Sweet, doesn't see himself as beautiful, has body hang-ups & swims towards 'red flags'. 2 shame cycles collide. Opposing 'attachment styles' -can this union end well? A beautiful addition to queer cinema. The candour of the story. Resonance. Refusal to sanitise. Sublime writing & direction- that only comes from embodied knowledge. It's not 'good/bad guy'. Both carry nuance, trauma, coping mechanisms & try to navigate a world that doesn't fit them & both project this differently. Trying to keep a handle on desire & not implode. It's incredibly funny. Most importantly? This film has a VOICE. The central 2 actors are excellent. You never NOT believe them. A triumph. Hard not to love. Quality made on this budget? Astounding & inspirational. If there's justice? Word-of-mouth will get this seen far & wide. Believe the hype. See more Ken F @RT71929041 Apr 30 this movie is a big fat turd. See more Read all reviews
Departures

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Movie Info

Synopsis Benji encounters Jake at an airport gate, sensing attraction. Their relationship unfolds through Amsterdam trips and intimacy, revealing complex power dynamics.
Director
Neil Ely, Lloyd Eyre-Morgan
Producer
Neil Ely, Lloyd Eyre-Morgan, Paul Mortlock
Screenwriter
Lloyd Eyre-Morgan
Distributor
Strand Releasing
Production Co
Punk Spirit Films, Rapt Films International
Genre
Comedy, Drama, Romance, LGBTQ+
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 29, 2026, Limited
Runtime
1h 22m