*Layla* is a beautifully crafted exploration of love, sex, gender, and friendship. The film’s summary—“When Layla, a struggling Arab drag queen, falls in love for the first time, they lose and find themselves in a transformative relationship that tests who they really are”—barely scratches the surface of what the film is really about. It’s refreshing to see a film that centers drag performers, not relegating them to the background as mere decorations, but focusing on their stories and offering a window into their internal worlds. The love story is full of ups and downs, and while you might not always agree with what’s happening, everything is handled with the gentle touch that such a delicate subject deserves.
Layla is introduced living in London, surrounded by a vibrant community of queer friends with whom they perform drag and attend parties. The chemistry between Layla and their friends is palpable, and you can feel the strong sense of camaraderie. At one of these parties, Layla meets Max, a conventionally “straight” looking marketing executive. They share an instant connection and have sex, but it’s clear that this encounter is more than a one-night fling. As the relationship progresses, Layla and Max cautiously begin dating, each trying to woo the other in their own way. Layla can hardly believe they’ve found love. However, as the relationship deepens, the two of them begin to realize that fitting into each other’s worlds is harder than they thought.
Layla, who at home is known as Latif, comes from a traditional Muslim family and avoids spending time with them, even snubbing their sister, who tries to reach out. On the other hand, Max dreams of being an artist, and although he enjoys the excitement of spending time with Layla, he’s looking for something less dramatic in a long-term partner. Max has no problem being seen with Layla in public, but there’s an underlying tension between them, and it takes a while to understand what the real issue is. Layla doesn’t want to change who they are, but they start feeling increasingly different from Max, even though Max is trying his best to understand their world and fit into it. Eventually, Layla calls it off, breaking Max’s heart because they would rather remain true to themselves. In the final scene, Layla reveals their true identity to their sister, who warmly accepts them.
I’ll admit, drag is a world I don’t fully understand and probably never will, but I’ve seen enough films to grasp the basics. Some viewers, myself included, struggled with the tension between Max and Layla, especially since Max seems like such a catch—handsome, supportive of Layla in all their forms, even taking on the challenge of a lubricated high heel. However, Layla wants to be seen in their “in-between” state, which is a tall order for anyone, even someone as understanding as Max. The film’s climactic scene shows Layla dressing in a plaid shirt to meet Max’s father for a family dinner and feeling like they’re “at a funeral for myself.” To be fair to Max, he never pressures Layla to be or do anything. It’s Layla who feels the change happening, to the point where they never even told Max that they prefer the “they/them” pronouns. While the courtship and the nuanced differences between them feel vibrant and authentic, the more overt conflicts seem somewhat artificial and manufactured. Nonetheless, the honesty of the actors’ performances shines through.
On the positive side, the chemistry between the actors playing Layla and Max is undeniable. The infectious joy of their growing relationship is contagious, and it’s driven by sweet, well-written conversations and beautifully filmed moments of intimacy, awkwardness, and humor. The film also delves into how both Layla and Max struggle to come out to their families in different ways. I do wish the film spent more time exploring this aspect, as it would have added an even deeper layer to their respective journeys.
Despite some slight issues, *Layla* remains a charming and endearing film that holds your attention. The compassion the film has for its characters is evident, and though the road to self-acceptance is sometimes rocky, the film delivers a mature and thoughtful exploration of embracing queer identity. As we watch Layla and Max navigate their respective paths, the film beautifully highlights the complexity and beauty of love, identity, and self-discovery.
