Love, loss and the undeniable queerness of Ghost—what more could you want from a movie night? As part of the fabulous Queer Film Theory 101 series at Alamo Drafthouse, this 1990 supernatural romance is getting the deep, subtextual gay analysis it deserves.
What’s So Queer About Ghost? Oh, honey, where do we start? Patrick Swayze’s Sam Wheat is a hunky banker who dies tragically, but instead of heading straight to the afterlife, he sticks around to keep tabs on his extremely androgynous girlfriend, Molly (Demi Moore in that haircut). To communicate with her, he enlists the help of psychic con artist Oda Mae Brown (Whoopi Goldberg, serving Oscar-winning realness). The result? A cross-gender possession moment where Sam literally embodies Oda Mae, meaning Molly is technically making out with Whoopi Goldberg. If that’s not queer-coded, we don’t know what is.
And let’s not forget—this script was penned by Bruce Joel Rubin, a queer screenwriter who also brought us Jacob’s Ladder. Add to that the film’s themes of liminality, identity and the sheer camp of Whoopi delivering the iconic “Molly, you in danger, girl,” and you have a queer classic hiding in plain sight.
Ever suspected that your favorite “straight” movies were actually a little (or a lot) queer? You’re not alone. Queer Film Theory 101 is a monthly screening and lecture series that reveals the hidden LGBTQ+ themes in classic films. Curated by Micheal Foulk, these events are basically a masterclass in reading between the lines—because Hollywood has always been gayer than it lets on.
Queer Film Theory 101 Screening of Ghost
Tuesday, February 18, 7 p.m.
Alamo Drafthouse Richardson
drafthouse.com
