Pride 2026: A Q+ Celebration
June 15
Afternoon Hours of a Hermit by Patrick Cottrell
Five years after the death of his younger brother, Dan Moran has built a new life for himself. He’s a published trans author, teaching fiction in Brooklyn, and trying to focus on his next novel. But when a mysterious envelope arrives in the mail containing a childhood photograph of his deceased brother, Dan finds himself pulled back toward a past he’s spent years trying to leave behind. Unable to ignore the questions the package raises, he returns to his childhood home on the eve of his brother’s memorial dinner.
What follows is part mystery, part character study, and part existential comedy. Convinced he’s conducting an investigation, Dan begins searching for clues about his brother’s life, driving around in his old Honda Accord and tracking down women who may have known him. Along the way, Dan repeatedly finds himself mistaken for someone else, forcing him to confront uncomfortable questions about identity, memory, grief, and the gap between who we believe ourselves to be and how others see us.
Patrick Cottrell blends dark humor, noir influences, and emotional honesty to create a novel that is both deeply funny and quietly devastating. While Dan’s trans identity is an important part of who he is, Afternoon Hours of a Hermit is ultimately a story about loss, self-perception, and the stories we tell ourselves about the people we love. Strange, moving, and wonderfully original, it’s the kind of book that lingers in your mind long after you’ve finished reading.
Where to buy? Afternoon Hours of a Hermit is available to purchase at all reputable booksellers.
Ammonite
Inspired by the life of pioneering fossil hunter Mary Anning, Ammonite transports viewers to the rugged coastline of 1840s England. Mary (Kate Winslet) lives a quiet, disciplined life searching for fossils along the shore, her days defined by work and routine. Everything changes when she is asked to care for Charlotte Murchison (Saoirse Ronan), a young woman recovering from personal struggles. What begins as an obligation slowly develops into a profound and life-altering connection between the two women.
Rather than focusing on grand declarations or sweeping romance, the film builds its relationship through small gestures, shared experiences, and emotional intimacy. Winslet and Ronan deliver powerful performances that ground the story, allowing the growing bond between Mary and Charlotte to feel deeply personal and authentic. The result is a romance that unfolds with patience and restraint while carrying significant emotional weight.
Beautifully photographed and quietly devastating, Ammonite is a story about desire, loneliness, companionship, and the possibility of finding connection when you least expect it. While the historical record surrounding Anning’s personal life remains limited, the film uses its speculative romance to explore themes that continue to resonate today. It’s a moving, atmospheric piece of queer cinema that rewards viewers willing to immerse themselves in its world.
Where to watch? Ammonite is available to stream on Netflix and Prime Video, depending on the region. It’s also available to buy or rent on Apple TV, YouTube, and Google Play Movies.
Pee-wee as Himself
For generations of viewers, Pee-wee Herman was a joyful constant: endlessly energetic, delightfully weird, and completely unlike anyone else on television. But behind the bow tie and the iconic laugh was Paul Reubens, a performer whose life and career were often far more complicated than the character he created. Pee-wee as Himself pulls back the curtain on that distinction, offering an intimate look at the man behind one of pop culture’s most recognizable figures.
Through archival footage, interviews, and Reubens’ own reflections, the two-part documentary explores the creation of Pee-wee Herman, the character’s meteoric rise, and the personal and professional challenges that followed. It also examines the realities of navigating fame while maintaining a carefully constructed public persona, allowing viewers to better understand both the artist and the cultural phenomenon he created.
What makes the documentary particularly compelling is its willingness to embrace complexity. Rather than simply celebrating a beloved entertainer, Pee-wee as Himself explores identity, privacy, creativity, and legacy with honesty and nuance. Whether you grew up watching Pee-wee’s Playhouse or are discovering Reubens’ story for the first time, it’s a fascinating portrait of an artist whose influence continues to be felt today.
Where to watch? Pee-wee as Himself is available to stream on HBO Max. It’s also available to buy or rent on Apple TV and Prime Video.
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Featured Image: Images Courtesy of Netflix, HBO Max, Amazon MGM Studios, Focus Features, Getty Images, Disney+, Apple TV, Crave.
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