If you’ve ever felt like queer stories in mainstream film are often stuck in a loop of the same tired storylines, Dollar Babys is here to change that. Created by an all-queer filmmaking team, directed by Remi Alfallah and Megan Haly, written by Shannon Haly, and produced by Erris Burke, this film is a breath of fresh air, going beyond the typical coming-out story to dive deep into the real, complex, and often messy lives of queer individuals.
The film centres on Maedbh, an Irish woman trying to make her dreams come true in LA. Struggling to make ends meet in a crumbling motel, Maedbh finds herself torn between her roots and the future she’s trying to build. Encouraged by her girlfriend, Frankie, they step into the LA Sugar Baby scene, hoping it’ll be their way to survive in the city Maedbh has always dreamed of living in. What unfolds is a story full of highs, lows, and a glimpse into the everyday realities of trying to carve out a life in one of the most difficult cities to thrive in.
Since its release, Dollar Babys has exploded with over 1.5 million views and saves on social media, quickly catching fire with audiences who are ready for something different. The film’s success shows just how much people are craving queer stories that go beyond the conventional narratives often seen on screen.
What sets Dollar Babys apart is its commitment to stepping away from the predictable queer storylines. While coming-out stories are still important and relevant, this film presents queer characters living real lives – dealing with everyday struggles, navigating romance, and even finding humour in the chaos. It’s a film that feels more like a snapshot of life as we know it – complicated, beautiful, and real.
“We wanted to create something that transcends the traditional queer narrative,” said Erris Burke, one of the producers of Dollar Babys. “While coming-out stories are vital, it’s time for queer film to show the real, messy lives of queer people – our romances, our comedies, and the everyday drama that makes us human. We want to see queer films that feel just as universal as any other movie on the big screen.”
This shift is exactly the kind of change queer cinema needs. It’s about time for films that aren’t just about coming out, but about living – about falling in love, dealing with the ups and downs, and doing all of that with the same complexity and depth as any other story.
Ready to see queer cinema in a new light? You can watch Dollar Babys exclusively on Patreon. Don’t miss out and watch now: Dollar Babys on Patreon.
Nonchalant x
This article was written by one of our creative team writers here at Nonchalant Magazine.
