Review: 'Boy Culture: Generation X' Falls Short of the Original

Derek Magyar plays X, a gay sex worker with plenty of stories to tell in Q. Allan Brocka's "Boy Culture: Generation X," a follow-up to his 2006 cult classic "Boy Culture." But now it's 16 years later and a lot has changed both in X's life and, to his surprise, what clients want from their escorts.

The connective tissue throughout all the interweaving chapters is X's young pimp, Chayce (Jason Caceres), as he sends X on "assignments." More like an anthology than a linear narrative, each chapter is the name of a client. The wrap-around arc is the wobbly relationship between X and his former lover/now roommate Andrew (Darryl Stephens).

For as much as "Boy Culture: Generation X" wants to be a modern, edgy exploration into sex-working, it feels more dated than it should. Most of the scenarios are played for laughs, which might have been okay in the raunchy mainstream comedies of the 2000s, but in today's world of progressive LGBTQ+ values, it's off-kilter. Even the HIV/AIDS discussion, which you'd think would feel more candid, falls into a trope played out 20 years ago.

One scene involves an African American client who wants X to use the "N" word during sex. It is a moment that is uncomfortable and not the least bit erotic. It also feels like it's being played for comedic effect which, even though the word is bleeped out, still seems unsavory. It might be the director's middle finger to the "woke" generation and all of its new rules. If it weren't for Magyar's exceedingly great performance, the whole thing would be disjointed.

But that is where "Boy Culture: Generation X" shines: In Magyar's acting. Through the natural progression of time, he has aged. It looks good on him, though. At certain moments he resembles a daddy version of Channing Tatum, which, let's be honest, even Tatum resembles.

Magyar plays X like he did in the first movie: grumpy, confused, and frustratingly deadpan. X doesn't appear to enjoy his profession, and, for all intents and purposes, that works. Forget that almost 20 years have passed and he should be more worldly than what is depicted here; for some reason, we are invested in his experiences as an older hustler. Nevermind that he doesn't know about PayPal transactions or how social media influencers work in 2023; instead, revel in his ability to embody this character and all his reactions with near-perfect delivery.

If you are looking for romance, it is not here. There is some carryover from the first film as far as his relationship with Andrew, but it is a paper-thin arc that's tossed aside, leaving no denouement to speak of. In fact, the movie just kind of ends and you're left checking the runtime just to make sure.

"Boy Culture: Generation X," with all its great cameos (Steve Grand, Ralph Cole Jr., Joel Michaely, Doug Spearman) can't decide whether it wants to be a raunchy comedy at the expense of others, a romantic drama, or a slice-of-life story. There is no reason it can't be all three, but that would mean allowing your audience time to click with the concept instead of broadsiding them with it. In the end, "Boy Culture: Generation X" lacks the charm of the original, which is a better, more heartfelt, and cohesive movie.

"Boy Culture: Generation X" is streaming now.