Lesbian Space Princess film review: Sweet gay space opera
The debut film from Emma Hough Hobbs and Leela Varghese is a fun sci-fi romp with a colourful cast
Taking you on a trip through an eye-popping neon gay-laxy, Lesbian Space Princess is an adorable, absurd and very adult animation from debut writer-directors Emma Hough Hobbs and Leela Varghese. This rollicking Aussie adventure features Shabana Azeez as the voice of stressed-out princess Saira who, despite being voted ‘most boring royal’ by the inhabitants of Clitopolis, sets out on an intergalactic quest to save her bounty hunter ex Kiki (Bernie Van Tiel), who is seen dumping her at the outset.
Kiki has been kidnapped by the Straight White Maliens, hilariously voiced by Mark Bonanno, Zachary Ruane and Broden Kelly from surrealist comedy group Aunty Donna. They’re a trio of insecure extraterrestrials, who were formerly the most powerful beings in the universe but have been forgotten (do you see what they did there?). Assisting on Saira’s quest is musician Willow (Gemma Chua-Tran), a serial optimist to Saira’s perpetual pessimist, who keeps the energy up while penning awful songs about their exploits. One of the breakout stars of hit medical drama The Pitt, Azeez is perfectly cast as the epically awkward Saira, whose mission is more about learning to love herself than rescuing her awful ex, and there’s fun work from Richard Roxburgh as a sexist spaceship.
The script is sharp, the jokes more hit than miss, the animation is cute and irresistibly cheeky, and the pop culture references come thick and fast, with nods to the likes of Barbie, Buffy and Blue Is The Warmest Colour. Given how controversial it is in mainstream kids’ animation to even feature a gay character, it’s nice to watch something at the opposite end of the spectrum, where queerness is celebrated via an enjoyably in-your-face, shamelessly pun-heavy style. The whole thing is surprisingly sweet, ejaculating spaceship aside.
Lesbian Space Princess is in cinemas from Friday 19 June.