Daniel Craig says films like Queer were the reason he started acting

In “Queer,” the British actor takes on his first dramatic role since his 15-year career, as 007 came to an explosive end in 2021's “No Time to Die.” Based on the 1985 book by William S. Burroughs, the bold new drama follows a drunken, drug-addicted expat named Lee (Craig) who preys on younger men in 1940s Mexico City. But his lascivious lifestyle is put to the test when he falls deeply in love with pretty wallflower Allerton (Drew Starkey), and Lee desperately tries to connect with his inscrutable new bedmate.

“Queer” is sometimes incredibly sexy and completely unconventional. (The film's ponderous, psychedelic final third is sure to turn off many viewers and Oscar voters.) The project reunites “Challengers” director Luca Guadagnino with screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes, who discussed at length the film's extended ayahuasca sequence and how they wanted to separate from Burroughs ' novel.

“If you think of the book as opening the door and then quickly closing it, we thought, 'What if we walked through the door?'” Kuritzkes said during an on-stage talk at the New York Film Festival, where the film was shown on Sunday evening.

Craig, who last appeared on screen in the 2022 crime thriller Glass Onion, said he has wanted to work with Guadagnino for years.