In the provocative film Sebastian, Finnish filmmaker Mikko Mäkelä creates a groundbreaking queer character study that challenges conventional taboos about sex and intimacy.
Early on in the film, a slim, hairless twenty-something named Max—a modern twink—engages in a passionate encounter with an older, larger, and hairier man, a bear whose presence exudes raw masculinity.
This explicit scene immediately sets the tone for a film that refuses to shy away from the complexities of gay sexuality and the beauty of uninhibited desire.
Later, the narrative shifts to introduce a budding sex worker, portrayed with wild abandon by the 25-year-old Italian-Scottish actor Ruaridh Mollica, who charms a genteel client played by veteran actor Jonathan Hyde.
Jonathan Hyde, a 76-year-old actor as grandly handsome as he was in the 1990s and recognizable from blockbusters like Titanic and Jumanji, brings a striking contrast to Mollica’s luminous complexion as the two share a tender kiss.
This unexpected display of intimacy between two very different characters forces viewers to confront their own preconceptions about age, beauty, and the nature of desire.
Watching these scenes, many viewers have remarked that they had never seen anything quite like this before, even when compared to the most explicit adult films.
The film not only pushes boundaries visually but also sparks a deeper conversation about whether contemporary culture, including gay culture and porn, is truly as sex-positive as it is assumed to be.
In interviews, Ruaridh Mollica explains that sex is an everyday occurrence that is rarely discussed openly despite its ubiquity in our lives, highlighting a need for more shame-free conversations about intimacy.
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He shares that in London, where his character Max navigates the world of sex work with ease, many in the queer community engage in sex work without the victim tropes often depicted in mainstream narratives.
Mollica admits that playing Max was both empowering and transformative, as it helped him embrace his sexuality more fully after years working in computer science in the Scottish capital.
He identifies as bisexual but prefers the term queer because it rejects binary notions of gender, and his journey in Sebastian has been a catalyst for personal growth and self-acceptance.
Drawing inspiration from literature, Mollica spent a year in preparation for the film, immersing himself in works by Philip Roth, John Rechy, and Cyril Collard to better understand his character’s layered complexities.
The film also features candid discussions about the legalisation and destigmatisation of sex work, a topic Mollica believes needs to be part of everyday conversation.
He recounts working with intimacy coordinators on challenging scenes, including an orgy sequence for the TV series Sexy Beast on Paramount+, which underscored the importance of consent and trust on set.
The camaraderie between Ruaridh Mollica and Jonathan Hyde is palpable, as they bonded over shared moments of vulnerability and humor during filming.
In one memorable exchange, Mollica joked about the literary influences on his character and the possibility of a second autobiographical roman-à-clef.
Ultimately, Sebastian is not just a film but a vehicle for broader societal discussions about sex, love, and the dismantling of shame around queer intimacy.
Set to hit cinemas on 4 April 2025, the film promises to be a landmark moment in gay cinema, inviting audiences to re-examine their attitudes toward sex work and the many forms of desire that exist in the modern world.
Through its unapologetic portrayal of sexual freedom and authentic human connection, Sebastian paves the way for a new era of queer storytelling that celebrates love in all its diverse manifestations.