TL;DR
- Gyllenhaal and Cavill play a gay couple in In The Grey.
- The film has made only $3 million at the box office.
- Critics note homoerotic themes and intimate moments.
- Lack of promotion may have hurt its success.
- The film is directed by Guy Ritchie.
In a cinematic twist that has left audiences scratching their heads, Jake Gyllenhaal and Henry Cavill are reportedly playing a “gay couple” in the new film In The Grey. But judging by its dismal box office performance, it seems like not many people are rushing to see it. With a mere $3 million haul since its release on May 15, this film is shaping up to be one of the biggest flops of the year.
Directed by Guy Ritchie, known for his stylized crime dramas like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch, In The Grey features Gyllenhaal and Cavill as mercenaries tasked with recovering a massive debt from a dictator. But it’s the homoerotic undertones that have caught the attention of critics and audiences alike. In a particularly eyebrow-raising scene, Cavill’s character, Sid, and Gyllenhaal’s character, Bronco, pretend to be a married couple to gain access to a hotel. And in a moment that’s sure to make viewers swoon, Bronco casually refers to Sid as “my husband” in front of their crew, and nobody bats an eye.
Film critic Benjamin Lee from The Guardian noted, “they are for all intents and purposes playing a gay couple,” while Matt Zoller Seitz from RogerEbert.com pointed out a tender moment where Bronco calls out, “I love you” to Sid, who responds with a glance of wordless affirmation. It’s a moment that’s both funny and surprisingly heartfelt, not treated as a punchline but rather as a genuine connection between the characters.
So why haven’t we heard more about this film? The lack of a major press tour and social media buzz has left many scratching their heads. Neither Gyllenhaal nor Cavill has even mentioned the film on their social media accounts, leading to speculation that the film may not have resonated well with test audiences or critics. With only four reviews on Rotten Tomatoes prior to its release, In The Grey currently holds a mediocre 46% rating from 41 reviews.
As it stands, In The Grey is being reported as Ritchie’s worst box office performance since 2008. With such a low opening, it begs the question: could the film’s queer-coded narrative have been better received if it had been marketed differently? Or is the world just not ready for a blockbuster featuring two of Hollywood’s hottest men in a gay relationship? Only time will tell, but for now, it looks like this film is going to be remembered more for its flop than its bold storytelling.
What do you think of Gyllenhaal and Cavill’s portrayal of a gay couple? Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful!