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Ben Turner

Tomatometer-approved critic
Biography:

A critic and film historian of LGBT+ cinema, Ben Turner is the founder of The Pink Lens. In a career dedicated to the representation of Queer people, he seeks to highlight the films that get it right and the films that don't.

Publications:

Reviews

Movies TV Shows
The Wedding Banquet (2025) 86% 2/5 EDIT “For a film with real comedy pedigree attached to it, this is a surprisingly unfunny movie, with a script that is strikingly devoid of any humour whatsoever. ” – The Pink Lens May 27, 2025 Full Review Another Simple Favor (2025) 58% 2/5 EDIT “If you’re looking for a film about perky PTA-Mom accidentally embroiled in a real-life mystery, that ship sailed in 2018 and did not return to port this year. ” – The Pink Lens May 27, 2025 Full Review Four Mothers (2024) 92% 4/5 EDIT “With compelling performances and a tone that’s pitched just right, this is a warm hug of a film that will warm even the coldest of cockles.” – The Pink Lens May 11, 2025 Full Review Sebastian (2024) 76% 5/5 EDIT “Freud would have had a field day with this drama, but for the rest of us, it’s entertaining, intelligently complex and also indelibly sexy. A must-watch.” – The Pink Lens May 11, 2025 Full Review The Parenting (2025) 49% 3/5 EDIT “The film’s main problem is its completely generic narrative. If this were an out-and-out spoof then this would be less of a problem, but it actually doesn’t go heavy on the gags, meaning that its only half-funny, half-interesting and also only half-scary.” – The Pink Lens May 11, 2025 Full Review Dying Briefly 3/5 EDIT “Sensual, well-composed and frenetic, this dance movie totally succeeds in capturing the breathlessness of a soulful dance show, even if its leads are particularly wet. ” – The Pink Lens May 11, 2025 Full Review Departures (2025) 5/5 EDIT “This film feels like a Danny Boyle moment, injecting some much-needed dynamism into the genre. This is grass-roots cinema at its best. Stark, moving, edgy and drole, this is a genuinely exceptional feature debut.” – The Pink Lens Apr 30, 2025 Full Review Bonus Track (2023) 86% 3/5 EDIT “There’s certainly nothing offensive or dislikeable on show here, but there’s similarly very little to arrest our attention. It’s a nice way to spend a few hours, but so is going for a walk.” – The Pink Lens Mar 30, 2025 Full Review The Persian Version (2023) 84% 3/5 EDIT “Colourful and vibrant, this beautifully revels in the charm of Persia, but is held back by dislikeable protagonist. But if you’re looking for a film that showcases all things Persian, this is definitely your film. ” – The Pink Lens Mar 30, 2025 Full Review What We Wrote Together (2024) 1/5 EDIT “There’s no tension, dilemma or character flaws, which means that this consists solely of three decidedly average millennials whingeing for 93 minutes. The script is inane, the direction bland and the cinematography is nothing beyond basic.” – The Pink Lens Mar 30, 2025 Full Review Elton John: Never Too Late (2024) 76% 3/5 EDIT “If you’re a fan of Elton John, then this is a treat that gives a peak behind the curtain. But for those more casually acquainted with John’s work, this is a music-doc that doesn’t work very hard to convert new fans.” – The Pink Lens Mar 30, 2025 Full Review Who We Love (2021) 4/5 EDIT “At times funny, at others poignant, this is a totally necessary and thoroughly watchable teen-centric drama with a massive beating heart.” – The Pink Lens Mar 30, 2025 Full Review The Writer (2023) 2/5 EDIT “While it may be intellectually stimulating, it doesn’t quite work as entertainment. Its characters and plot are secondary to its philosophical musings, which feel more like the director’s manifesto than a piece of narrative storytelling.” – The Pink Lens Mar 30, 2025 Full Review Ganymede (2024) 77% 2/5 EDIT “While Ganymede is able to capitalise on its metaphor and run with it, it doesn’t manage to sustain suspense long enough to keep us from chuckling about how ridiculous it all is.” – The Pink Lens Mar 30, 2025 Full Review Queer (2024) 77% 3/5 EDIT “Though Daniel Craig revels in a career-best performance, he is underserved by Guadagnino’s unfocused reverie for Burroughs’ work. The result is a messy film that’s definitely artistic, but is only partially enjoyable.” – The Pink Lens Mar 30, 2025 Full Review My Old Ass (2024) 90% 3/5 EDIT “Its performances are adequate while the script is light and sometimes funny. Its concept ticks away quietly in the background, almost secondary to the romance at the centre, but as light teen sci-fi goes, Freaky Friday it is not.” – The Pink Lens Mar 30, 2025 Full Review Upon Waking (2024) 2/5 EDIT “Where the bulk of the narrative is a contemplative character drama, its ending is a far-fetched genre movie that needs you to suspend your disbelief a LOT.” – The Pink Lens Mar 30, 2025 Full Review Barrio Boy (2023) 3/5 EDIT “There is certainly chemistry between its leads – and the camera is clearly in love with Quique too – but its edit is the film’s biggest hurdle, feeling clunky and actually unfinished. ” – The Pink Lens Mar 30, 2025 Full Review The Summer with Carmen (2023) 89% 3/5 EDIT “This is a director playing with narrative and form, but that doesn’t quite cut it in terms of just telling us a good story. There’s no doubt this sweet, fizzy and sexy, but it’s about as satisfying as a lollipop.” – The Pink Lens Mar 30, 2025 Full Review One Last Night Of You (2024) 3/5 EDIT “Thoughtful and contemplative, this is an atmospheric drama that examines the joys of being alive, but as a romance it asks us to back away from the edge but doesn’t quite convince us why.” – The Pink Lens Mar 30, 2025 Full Review Misericordia (2024) 94% 3/5 EDIT “Guiraudie is trying to emulate the same style of his biggest film but without shedding the humour of the rest of his canon and, unsurprisingly, it doesn’t work. The result is half-tense, half-funny and only half-weird, making a film that’s only half-good.” – The Pink Lens Mar 30, 2025 Full Review Will & Harper (2024) 99% 5/5 EDIT “While there is much discussion about how Harper has had to learn how to live as a trans person, we get to watch first hand as Will learns to be a good ally. It's this emotional journey that – like all good road-trip films – is the real heart of the film.” – The Pink Lens Dec 1, 2024 Full Review Chuck Chuck Baby (2023) 100% 4/5 EDIT “This film’s hardened northern exterior masks a beautiful beating heart at its centre. A wonderful film that’s as exultant as it is gloomy, this is one of the best British movies of this year.” – The Pink Lens Dec 1, 2024 Full Review Kinds of Kindness (2024) 71% 3/5 EDIT “This is a film solely for Lanthimos fans, but even for them this is like listening to a B-sides collection of your favourite singer, not a studio album.” – The Pink Lens Dec 1, 2024 Full Review Pretty Red Dress (2022) 85% 4/5 EDIT “A fun feel-good film that brings out the best in its director and stars, this is a well-crafted slice of succulent British cinema.” – The Pink Lens Dec 1, 2024 Full Review
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