Sebastian (2024) | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)

73% Tomatometer 51 Reviews 57% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings

Max (Ruaridh Mollica) is a 25-year-old aspiring novelist, living in London and paying his dues working at a literary magazine. Frustrated by his own ambitions and the pressures to succeed, Max begins moonlighting as a sex worker with the pseudonym Sebastian, secretly meeting men via an escorting platform and using his experiences to fuel his stories. What begins as a few furtive meetings soon becomes a hidden nocturnal life, and the debut novel that he has been longing to write finally seems within reach. Finding himself more comfortable as Sebastian than expected, yet determined to keep his exploits a secret, Max increasingly struggles to remain in control of a delicately balanced double-life. As he confronts conflicting feelings of ecstasy, shame, and exhilarating liberation, Max has to reckon with whether Sebastian is merely a writer's tool to achieve first-hand authenticity -- or whether something more is at stake.

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Sebastian

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Critics Consensus

Mollica compels as a young man caught between two lives and his performance elevates Sebastian, a provocative if uneven story that explores an artist's quest to find inspiration and authenticity in the name of art.

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Critics Reviews

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Sebastian (2024) | Rotten Tomatoes (1) Manuel Betancourt Los Angeles Times With its keen, sensual eye, “Sebastian” makes its portrait of an artist as a young sex worker brim with pained authenticity about how fleeting and seemingly transactional intimacies remain rife sites of exploration for queer writers. Aug 12, 2024 Full Review Sebastian (2024) | Rotten Tomatoes (2) Bob Mondello NPR British character actor Jonathan Hyde is understated and dignified as the editor who gets past Max's defenses, while relative newcomer Ruaridh Mollica lets you see every chink in Max's armor just before a piece of that armor falls away. Aug 9, 2024 Full Review Sebastian (2024) | Rotten Tomatoes (3) J. Kim Murphy Variety Despite the film’s confident naturalism, it seems less intimate as it goes on, with Max somehow growing more distant and generic as he becomes more comfortable in his own skin. Aug 5, 2024 Full Review Sebastian (2024) | Rotten Tomatoes (4) Cain Noble-Davies FILMINK (Australia) … trades in both writer porn and actual porn, but in a way that does justice to the emotional realities involved with each. Rated: 16/20 Jan 18, 2025 Full Review Sebastian (2024) | Rotten Tomatoes (5) Jennie Kermode Eye for Film Having set up all the elements of a thriller, the film proceeds to untangle them in a refreshingly different and mature way. Rated: 4.5/5 Jan 6, 2025 Full Review Sebastian (2024) | Rotten Tomatoes (6) Dave Giannini Loud and Clear Reviews Sebastian is a movie with a lot of promise that seems to focus on the wrong moments. There is an excellent short film hidden within the confines of a wandering narrative. Rated: 2.5/5 Nov 11, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Cristal I liked the movie. Maybe a bit too long. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/13/24 Full Review david m I really enjoyed this film. It took me by surprise. I wasn't sure what it was going to be about. But it turned out to be such a great experience. It's hard to find films like this especially with queer Cinema. But this was such a great story and it was really well written. And the acting was very good and the way it was shot was beautiful. I was moved. Highly recommend for audiences seeking out good queer cinema. Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/10/24 Full Review Richard F A very moving take on the love connections made by a rent boy, Sebastian, who brings a good heart to his second income. It's both moving and it also moves. Quite an eye opener. Reminds me of a friend long ago who used to hustle in the 60s. He protested, "Hustlers get a bad rap. They provide a closeness people need and can't get anywhere else." Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/21/25 Full Review Alec B Its a suprising movie, mostly because you don't initially expect this seemingly inscrutable young man to have any depth of feeling. It becomes clear though that what he's looking for is a kind of tangible validation beyond his work and beyond the novel he's writing Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/18/24 Full Review Chris V An enjoyable film that's not shy about depicting sex scenes in the proper context of what an escort does for a living. The only disappointment was the ending, which felt trite. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 10/10/24 Full Review Audience Member A Captivating Canvas in Mollica!In the vibrant world of art, where dreams come alive,Mollica compels, a film that will thrive!With a young man caught in a whirlwind of strife,He dances between two worlds, finding meaning in life.Sebastian’s the name, and what a delight,His performance is soaring, taking flight!An artist on a quest for inspiration grand,Navigating the chaos with brush in hand.The story unfolds with a provocative flair,Exploring the heart of what artists must bear.For authenticity, he reaches, he strives,In the name of true art, where passion derives.The visuals dazzle, a feast for the eyes,With colors and textures that sparkle and rise.Each frame is a canvas, a masterpiece bright,Bringing Sebastian's journey into the light.While the plot may be uneven, it wades through the waves,As emotions run deep, and the heart truly craves.Moments of laughter, and then tears that will flow,A beautiful struggle, allowing us to grow.The cast is a gem, with talent that shines,They breathe life into characters, crossing the lines.With chemistry flowing like colors that blend,This film’s like a journey with art as your friend.So if you seek inspiration and stories that sing,Mollica is a treasure, a bold offering!With whimsy and heart in every heartfelt scene,You’ll leave feeling uplifted, refreshed, and serene.So grab your companions and dive into this art,For Mollica will capture and play on your heart!A journey of wonder, creativity’s spark,In the world of cinema, it truly hits the mark! Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/12/24 Full Review Read all reviews

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Cast & Crew

Mikko Mäkelä Director Ruaridh Mollica Max Hiftu Quasem Amna Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson Daniel Lara Rossi Claudia Leanne Best Dionne
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Synopsis Max (Ruaridh Mollica) is a 25-year-old aspiring novelist, living in London and paying his dues working at a literary magazine. Frustrated by his own ambitions and the pressures to succeed, Max begins moonlighting as a sex worker with the pseudonym Sebastian, secretly meeting men via an escorting platform and using his experiences to fuel his stories. What begins as a few furtive meetings soon becomes a hidden nocturnal life, and the debut novel that he has been longing to write finally seems within reach. Finding himself more comfortable as Sebastian than expected, yet determined to keep his exploits a secret, Max increasingly struggles to remain in control of a delicately balanced double-life. As he confronts conflicting feelings of ecstasy, shame, and exhilarating liberation, Max has to reckon with whether Sebastian is merely a writer's tool to achieve first-hand authenticity -- or whether something more is at stake.

Director
Mikko Mäkelä

Producer
James Robert Benjamin Watson

Screenwriter
Mikko Mäkelä

Distributor
Kino Lorber

Production Co
Lemming Film België, Good Chaos, Finnish Impact Film Fund, Bêtes Sauvages, Barry Crerar, Helsinki Filmi Oy

Genre
Drama, LGBTQ+

Original Language
English

Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 2, 2024, Limited

Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 1, 2024

Box Office (Gross USA)
$64.5K

Runtime
1h 50m

Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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