The Girls go on a getaway

In God Save The Queens

by Dark Sky Lady

God Save the Queens, written and directed by Jordan Danger, is a dramedy about a quartet of drag queens who attend the same spiritual therapy retreat. The movie stars Jordan Michael Green, Kelly Mantle, Alaska Thunderfuck, and Laganja Estranja as the group of drag queens trying to overcome roadblocks. The film shines despite some confusing moments because the cast is so vibrant and raucous that it is impossible not to get swept up in God Save the Queens, written and directed by Jordan Danger, is a dramedy about a quartet of drag queens who attend the same spiritual therapy retreat. The movie stars Jordan Michael Green, Kelly Mantle, Alaska Thunderfuck, and Laganja Estranja as the group of drag queens trying to overcome roadblocks. The film shines despite some confusing moments because the cast is so vibrant and raucous that it is impossible not to get swept up in God Save the Queens. 

The film opens with Gigi/Klein (Jordan Michael Green) monologuing to her reflection in a car window. Gigi struggles to find steady work because Gigi’s identities are at the intersections of marginalization. Gigi is Black and a drag queen. Despite Gigi’s sparkling personality in an interview as a caretaker to an elderly man, the white wife feels horror. This escalates when she spies Gigi’s painted nails, at which point she runs Gigi out. Of course, the white lady threatens to get her husband to chase her out. Gigi’s quick, witty responses set the tone for the comedy. 

Marmalade (Kelly Mantle) performs in a show and is trying to get her big break in the industry. There are always ignorant biases. Though Marmalade is funny, a talent scout deems her old and unattractive though the club owner Simon (Peter Facinelli) tries to persuade them. Friends turned enemies Stevie (Alaska Thunderfuck), and Rita (Laganja Estranja) work at a small bar. When Hugo (Joaquim de Almeida)  offers them an opportunity to compete in a talent show only if they are a team, they try to resolve the issues that pushed them apart. 

The shots in God Save the Queens feels like a documentary, but that is part of the charm. Timeline-wise, the film is confusing. Against their will, the four go to the therapy retreat, yet as each person’s story unfolds, it is hard to tell if their issues were resolved before or during the therapy sessions. So my face toward the end had the floating question marks above it. 

Still, the film does a fantastic job. The commercial for Serenhaven’s therapeutic methods is hilarious. I glanced away as they listed their treatments. Then I heard “wtf” and said the words aloud in shock and laughter. The rest of the acronyms of services Serenhaven provides and what they stand for are inventive. 

The casting was on point because the four leads are hilarious. Gigi’s quippy personality, Marmalade seems in a perpetual state of annoyance, and Stevie and Rita are a pair of hilarious, bickering frenemies. The performances are hilarious and memorable. Gigi’s dialogue is quotable, especially her sarcastic responses to racism. 

There is a heart in God Save the Queens too. Each person is trying to succeed doing what they love but has to fight and keep fighting after each success. That is a universal experience, particularly among marginalized people. Every roadblock cleared brings brief joy. But then another roadblock appears down the road. Marmalade’s monologue about the world’s obsession with youth and attractiveness is powerful. 

God Save the Queens is catchy music, hilarious moments, and a dynamic cast. The fact that the film is still entertaining despite the puzzling timeline speaks to how well the film does everything else. You will laugh, clap, snap your fingers, and wish you had amazing friends this amazing.

The film opens with Gigi/Klein (Jordan Michael Green) monologuing to her reflection in a car window. Gigi struggles to find steady work because Gigi’s identities are at the intersections of marginalization. Gigi is Black and a drag queen. Despite Gigi’s sparkling personality in an interview as a caretaker to an elderly man, the white wife feels horror. This escalates when she spies Gigi’s painted nails, at which point she runs Gigi out. Of course, the white lady threatens to get her husband to chase her out. Gigi’s quick, witty responses set the tone for the comedy. 

Marmalade (Kelly Mantle) performs in a show and is trying to get her big break in the industry. There are always ignorant biases. Though Marmalade is funny, a talent scout deems her old and unattractive though the club owner Simon (Peter Facinelli) tries to persuade them. Friends turned enemies Stevie (Alaska Thunderfuck), and Rita (Laganja Estranja) work at a small bar. When Hugo (Joaquim de Almeida)  offers them an opportunity to compete in a talent show only if they are a team, they try to resolve the issues that pushed them apart. 

The shots in God Save the Queens feels like a documentary, but that is part of the charm. Timeline-wise, the film is confusing. Against their will, the four go to the therapy retreat, yet as each person’s story unfolds, it is hard to tell if their issues were resolved before or during the therapy sessions. So my face toward the end had the floating question marks above it. 

Still, the film does a fantastic job. The commercial for Serenhaven’s therapeutic methods is hilarious. I glanced away as they listed their treatments. Then I heard “wtf” and said the words aloud in shock and laughter. The rest of the acronyms of services Serenhaven provides and what they stand for are inventive. 

The casting was on point because the four leads are hilarious. Gigi’s quippy personality, Marmalade seems in a perpetual state of annoyance, and Stevie and Rita are a pair of hilarious, bickering frenemies. The performances are hilarious and memorable. Gigi’s dialogue is quotable, especially her sarcastic responses to racism. 

There is a heart in God Save the Queens too. Each person is trying to succeed doing what they love but has to fight and keep fighting after each success. That is a universal experience, particularly among marginalized people. Every roadblock cleared brings brief joy. But then another roadblock appears down the road. Marmalade’s monologue about the world’s obsession with youth and attractiveness is powerful. 

God Save the Queens is catchy music, hilarious moments, and a dynamic cast. The fact that the film is still entertaining despite the puzzling timeline speaks to how well the film does everything else. You will laugh, clap, snap your fingers, and wish you had amazing friends this amazing.