At Goodkind High School, Russell Middlebrook (Cameron Deane Stewart) is a closeted gay teen struggling to embrace his sexuality while maintaining his public image. He secretly begins a relationship with Kevin Land (Justin Deeley), the school’s star quarterback, who is also hiding his true identity. Together with other LGBTQ+ students, they form the "Geography Club"—a secret group that helps them share their feelings and experiences away from the judgmental eyes of their peers. As they explore their friendships, relationships, and identity, the club members realize that keeping their true selves hidden may not be as safe as they thought.
A coming-of-age comedy about a secret high school club that serves as a safe haven for LGBTQ+ teens navigating identity and acceptance.
Geography Club is a unique film that presents the LGBTQ+ teen experience in a humorous yet touching way. The movie’s central premise—a secret LGBTQ+ group hiding under the innocuous name of “Geography Club”—highlights the lengths teens go to in order to protect their true identities from the judgment of their peers. The characters, led by Cameron Deane Stewart as Russell and Justin Deeley as Kevin, are well-developed, showing the internal conflict and emotional turmoil that come with navigating relationships while hiding their true selves.
The film excels at capturing the high school experience for LGBTQ+ teens, focusing on internal conflict more than external antagonism. While the characters face societal pressures, much of the drama comes from within: Russell’s struggle to stay closeted for the sake of his relationship with Kevin, and other members’ fear of being outed. The portrayal of Russell’s fake relationship with Trish (Meaghan Martin), a straight girl who’s overly eager, adds humor while emphasizing the difficulty of maintaining appearances. This relatable internal struggle resonates with many LGBTQ+ teens who are still in the process of self-acceptance.
Unlike more adult-oriented films that focus on the darker sides of coming out, Geography Club maintains a lighthearted and hopeful tone. The movie embraces the idea that finding a supportive community can make all the difference for teens questioning their identities. While it doesn’t shy away from serious topics, it avoids the harshness of homophobic bullying or disapproving parents, instead showing the strength of LGBTQ+ friendships and love. This positive message is particularly appealing to younger audiences and gives the film a feel-good vibe.
One of the strengths of Geography Club is its balance of humor and emotional depth. With comic relief from Ana Gasteyer as a quirky sex-ed teacher and Alex Newell’s witty portrayal of Ike, the film keeps a light tone despite its serious themes. The movie also benefits from moments of genuine emotion, particularly in the scenes where Russell grapples with his feelings for Kevin and the question of whether to remain closeted. These moments of honesty give the film a grounded, relatable quality.
Visually, Geography Club leans into its television-style aesthetic, reminiscent of shows like Glee. Though overlit and straightforward in its direction, the film doesn’t rely on high production values to make its emotional beats land. The focus remains on character interactions and the message of self-acceptance. While some viewers may find the TV-like production style a little too polished, it fits the film’s intended audience and makes the movie accessible to a wider demographic.
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