Just how gay is ‘Gladiator II’? Exploring the epic’s queerness–from chaotic bisexuals to Ancient Roman eye candy
Gladiator II and Wicked—two of the most anticipated blockbusters of the year—in theaters across the country.And though conventional wisdom would tell us that Wicked (a bewitching musical about friendship & stepping into your power, featuring prominent LGBTQ+ stars) is for the girls and the gays, while Gladiator II (a sweeping sword-and-sandal sequel set just before the fall of the Roman Empire) is for the bros, it seems there’s something for everybody in both.After all, we know there’s precedent for ancient Roman epic tales to be more than a little homoerotic.
So, does director Ridley Scott’s latest follow suit? Does it offer up even a little something for the queer gaze—you know, aside from the chance to ogle hunks like Paul Mescal & Pedro Pascal on the big screen?Well, we’ve seen it, and we’re more than happy to enlighten you.
Are you not entertained???*Caution: Minor spoilers for Gladiator II, but we promise not to give away any major plot or character details not already revealed in the trailers.*First up, is perhaps the movie’s most obvious inclusion of queerness: the blood-thirsty brother co-emperors of Rome, Geta (Strangers Things‘ Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (The White Lotus‘ Fred Hechinger).Following in the footsteps of Joaquin Phoenix’s sniveling Commodus in Gladiator, the brothers are the corrupt rulers of the Roman Empire who show little mercy overseeing the gladiatorial games, and who also happen to be sniveling pretty-boys with a penchant for lavish excess.The sequel takes things even further with Geta and Caracalla’s queer eccentricities, caking their faces in garish, ghostly-white makeup and giving them plenty of quirks, like the latter’s fondness for his pet monkey, Dundus.
Also, in a number of scenes, Carcalla is shown to flanked by other flamboyant men, who we’re clearly meant to assume he takes as lovers.As with the 2000 original, folks may take issue with the fact that our ostensible villains are effeminate and queer-coded, while the heroes are.
