New Movies: Things Like This (2025) by Max Talisman
- dailyentertainment95
- Jun 12
- 9 min read
Core Summary
Things Like This (2025) is an American independent romantic comedy that marks the feature directorial, screenwriting, and starring debut of Max Talisman. The film tells the story of two young gay men, both named Zack (played by Max Talisman and Joey Pollari), who meet in New York City and develop an unexpected connection. Despite an initial disastrous first date, their bond deepens as they discover a surprising shared past that feels like fate. However, their journey to love is complicated by personal insecurities and the residual pain of being young queer individuals, leading them to confront challenges related to self-worth and vulnerability. The film aims to be a refreshing, authentic, and unapologetic portrayal of queer love that resonates universally.
Short Summary
Max Talisman's Things Like This (2025) is a queer romantic comedy about two gay men named Zack who meet in NYC and discover a fated connection. Their blossoming love is challenged by personal insecurities, prompting them to confront self-worth to fully embrace their relationship. It's an authentic and universally relatable portrayal of queer love.
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9746718/
Link Review: https://filmthreat.com/reviews/things-like-this/
Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/things-like-this (US), https://www.justwatch.com/ca/movie/things-like-this (Canada)
Detailed Summary
Things Like This (2025) is an American independent romantic comedy that represents a significant milestone for Max Talisman, who makes his feature directorial, screenwriting, and starring debut in the film. Inspired by classic rom-coms and his own experiences as a plus-sized queer man dating in New York City, Talisman set out to create a story that reflects the realities of young queer love beyond coming-out narratives. The film took a long time to get made, with the first draft written in 2017 and filming commencing in 2022, a testament to finding financiers who believed in the project's broad appeal.
The plot centers on two young gay men, both named Zack: Zack Anthony (played by Max Talisman), a struggling writer, and Zack Mandel (Joey Pollari), an assistant to a talent agent. Their connection begins with a small act of kindness and blossoms after a "disastrous but comedic first date." As they spend more time together, they uncover a surprising shared past, leading them to believe their connection is "fate." However, their path to love is not smooth. They grapple with personal insecurities, fears, anxieties, and the "residual pain from being young gay people" that continually holds them back. The film aims to address specific challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in contemporary society, such as internalized shame and family rejection (including a "predictable, though frustratingly relevant," homophobic father figure played by Eric Roberts), all while maintaining a "buoyant spirit" and avoiding a preachy tone. The supporting cast includes Jackie Cruz as Ava (Zack Mandel's "fierce work wife"), Charlie Tahan as Zack Anthony's straight best friend, Cara Buono, Bridget Regan, Nicholas Hamilton, and veteran actress Barbara Barrie. Talisman specifically aimed to create meaningful roles for plus-sized actors and dismantle conventional prejudices, opening the film by directly addressing potential "fat shaming" criticisms. Produced by Opposite Field Pictures and Sovereign Talent, and distributed by Falling Forward Films and MPX Releasing, Things Like This had a limited theatrical release in the US starting May 16, 2025.
Plot Summary
A Fated Meeting: Struggling writer Zack Anthony meets Zack Mandel, an assistant to a talent agent, both named Zack, in New York City.
Blossoming Connection: Their connection starts with a small kindness and grows after a comedic yet disastrous first date.
Shared Past: As they spend more time together, they discover a surprising shared history, suggesting a fated bond.
Internal Obstacles: Their journey to love is hindered by their individual insecurities, fears, and the emotional scars of being young queer men.
Confronting Challenges: They must navigate external pressures, including family judgment, and internal struggles with self-worth.
Path to Love: The film follows their efforts to overcome these obstacles and fully embrace their connection, striving for an authentic and unapologetic queer love story.
Director's Vision
Max Talisman's directorial vision for Things Like This (2025) is deeply personal and driven by a desire to bring an authentic, relatable, and unapologetically queer romantic comedy to the screen. As writer, director, and lead actor, Talisman aimed to fill a perceived void in queer cinema by telling a love story that addresses the complexities of adult queer relationships beyond the "coming-out" narrative. His vision emphasizes:
Authentic Queer Love: To portray a love story between two gay men that is "personal and visceral," reflecting the real fears and anxieties of dating in a cynical world, while being "without apology."
Universal Relatability: While specifically a queer story, Talisman wanted to make a film that "everyone can connect to" and find "extremely relatable," bridging divides between LGBTQ+ and straight audiences.
Inclusivity and Representation: As a plus-sized queer man, he aimed to "shed light on diverse stories," create "meaningful roles for plus-sized actors," and generally promote a more inclusive film industry where queer people are given equal opportunities.
Self-Worth and Vulnerability: A core theme is how personal insecurities and past pain can "block the path to love," and the film explores the courage required to take a chance on love and become a "stronger person."
Classic Rom-Com Inspiration: Talisman drew inspiration from beloved straight rom-coms like When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless In Seattle, intending to bring that "classic romantic comedy" feel to a queer narrative.
Humor with Heart: The film balances "genuine humor" with emotional grounding, ensuring it's a "crowd pleaser" that makes audiences feel "seen."
Key Themes
Queer Love and Relationships: An authentic and nuanced portrayal of romance between two gay men, moving beyond typical coming-out narratives.
Self-Worth and Insecurity: How personal fears, anxieties, and past pain can create internal barriers to finding and accepting love.
Connection and Destiny: The idea of a fated connection between the two leads and the challenges of recognizing and embracing it.
Vulnerability and Openness: The courage required to be truly open and allow oneself to fall in love, especially in a world that can foster cynicism.
Inclusivity and Representation: The film's commitment to portraying diverse body types and queer experiences without apology.
Navigating Adulthood: The specific challenges and emotional growth experienced by young adults in their twenties in a modern, often cynical, world.
Key Success Factors
Authentic Queer Representation: Fills a gap in rom-coms by portraying an adult queer love story with genuine heart.
Relatable Themes: Despite being a queer story, its themes of insecurity, self-worth, and the pursuit of connection are universally resonant.
Triple Threat Filmmaker: Max Talisman's simultaneous roles as writer, director, and lead actor bring a unique and cohesive vision.
Charming Ensemble Cast: Strong performances from both leads and supporting actors contribute to the film's warmth and humor.
Positive Critical Reception: Early reviews highlight its sincerity, humor, and refreshing take on the genre.
Awards and Nominations
As of early June 2025, there are no widely reported major awards or nominations for Things Like This (2025). This is typical for independent films in their initial release phase.
Critical Reception
Critical reception for Things Like This (2025) has been largely positive, with particular praise for its authenticity, humor, and refreshing take on the romantic comedy genre for queer audiences.
Film Threat: Called it a "sweet and sincere indie rom-com" about two men who find an "unexpected connection and possible destiny," and effectively explores how "personal insecurities can block the path to love."
Gurus Magazine: Highlighted Talisman's ambition to "convey the power in being a plus sized gay person" and for the film's message of love being a "universal human experience" that everyone can connect to.
At Home in Hollywood: Praised it as "a romantic comedy that ditches Hollywood's tired formulas in favor of genuine heart and inclusivity," noting that Talisman "has crafted something genuinely special here." It lauded how the film tackles "internalized shame, family rejection, and the complicated dance of finding love while battling personal demons—all while maintaining a buoyant spirit that never feels preachy or heavy-handed." It concluded, "This isn't just a 'feel-good' movie—it's a celebration of queer love that refuses to apologize for existing."
The Austin Chronicle: Noted that Max Talisman "writes, directs, and stars in this rom-com about two guys – a workaholic and a struggling writer – who meet cute and try to make it work."
Overall, the film is well-received for its honest portrayal of queer romance and its universal themes.
Reviews
Reviews for Things Like This (2025) consistently emphasize its charm, heart, and authenticity.
The chemistry between Max Talisman and Joey Pollari as the two Zacks is frequently highlighted as "natural and enviable."
Critics appreciate how the film "dismantles conventional prejudices" and directly addresses "fat shaming criticisms" without being preachy.
The supporting cast, particularly Jackie Cruz and Barbara Barrie, receives praise for providing "excellent comic relief and emotional grounding."
Reviewers note the film's ability to tackle "specific challenges facing LGBTQ+ individuals" while remaining broadly relatable, making it a film that "anyone can connect to."
The dialogue is described as "crackling with wit," and the overall tone as "infectious joy and DIY empowerment."
Production Summary
Things Like This (2025) is an American production with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. Max Talisman serves as the director, screenwriter, and lead actor. Producers include Max Talisman, Buzz Koenig, and Andrew Burrill. The film's production companies are Opposite Field Pictures and Sovereign Talent. The cast features Max Talisman, Joey Pollari, Jackie Cruz, Charlie Tahan, Cara Buono, Bridget Regan, Nicholas Hamilton, and Eric Roberts. Filming took place in 2022.
Production Companies
Opposite Field Pictures
Sovereign Talent
Sales Companies
No specific sales companies are widely published for Things Like This (2025) in the available search results.
Distribution Companies
Falling Forward Films (US Limited Theatrical Release)
MPX Releasing (also acquired for early 2025 release, possibly co-distributor or earlier theatrical)
Theatrical Release
Things Like This (2025) had a limited theatrical release in the United States starting on May 16, 2025. It premiered at AMC Lincoln Square 13 in New York City on May 8, 2025.
Why to Recommend the Movie
Authentic Queer Representation: A heartfelt and genuine portrayal of gay love that moves beyond clichés.
Universal Themes: Addresses insecurities and the search for connection that resonate with all audiences, not just the LGBTQ+ community.
Multi-Talented Vision: Max Talisman's roles as writer, director, and star bring a unique and cohesive voice to the film.
Charming & Humorous: Delivers a classic rom-com feel with witty dialogue and strong chemistry.
Advocacy for Inclusivity: Promotes diversity, including the positive portrayal of a plus-sized lead, without apology.
Why to Watch the Movie
If you're looking for a refreshing romantic comedy: It offers a modern and honest take on the genre.
To see a relatable LGBTQ+ love story: It focuses on the complexities of adult queer relationships and self-acceptance.
If you appreciate independent filmmaking: This is a passion project with a clear artistic vision.
For a feel-good film that also tackles real issues: It blends humor and heart with themes of self-worth and vulnerability.
To support diverse storytelling in Hollywood: It champions inclusivity and authentic representation.
Movie Trend
The film follows the trend of Authentic Queer Romantic Comedies, moving beyond "coming-out" narratives to explore the complexities of adult LGBTQ+ relationships, self-worth, and identity. It also aligns with the broader movement of Inclusive Storytelling, actively championing diverse representation (e.g., plus-sized lead) in mainstream genres. Max Talisman's multi-hyphenate role as writer, director, and star also reflects a growing trend of Filmmaker-Driven Projects in independent cinema.
Social Trend
The film directly resonates with the social trend of Increased Acceptance and Visibility for the LGBTQ+ Community, particularly in media, and the ongoing demand for more authentic and nuanced queer narratives beyond simplistic portrayals. It also taps into broader discussions around Body Positivity and Self-Acceptance, challenging conventional beauty standards. The emphasis on overcoming personal insecurities and embracing vulnerability speaks to a societal focus on Mental Well-being and Emotional Growth.
Final Verdict
Things Like This (2025), written, directed by, and starring Max Talisman, is a charming and deeply authentic independent romantic comedy. It gracefully navigates the complexities of modern queer love through the story of two gay men named Zack who, despite a fated connection, must confront their personal insecurities and past pain to fully embrace their relationship. Talisman's heartfelt vision delivers a refreshing and unapologetic portrayal of queer romance that is both genuinely humorous and universally relatable. With strong performances and a commitment to inclusivity, the film stands as a significant and much-needed contribution to the romantic comedy genre, proving that love stories can be both specific and broadly resonant.
Recommendations for filmmakers
Infuse Personal Experience: Draw upon your own lived experiences and emotional truths to create a narrative that feels authentic and deeply resonant, even in genre filmmaking.
Champion Underrepresented Voices: Actively seek to tell stories that reflect diverse experiences and identities, and create opportunities for underrepresented actors and crew.
Embrace the Multi-Hyphenate Role: If you have a strong, clear vision, consider taking on multiple roles (writer, director, actor) to maintain creative control and bring your unique perspective to life.
Focus on Universal Themes within Specific Narratives: While telling a specific story (e.g., queer love), ensure its underlying themes of human connection, insecurity, and self-worth are broadly relatable to diverse audiences.
Nurture Your Project's Journey: Be persistent in bringing your film to fruition, understanding that independent projects often require a longer development and production timeline.
Recommendations for Movie Industry
Invest in Authentic Queer Storytelling: Actively seek out and fund romantic comedies and dramas that portray LGBTQ+ relationships with depth, nuance, and realism, moving beyond tokenism.
Prioritize Inclusive Representation: Support films that authentically represent diverse body types, backgrounds, and identities, fostering a more inclusive and reflective cinematic landscape.
Recognize New Talent in Multi-Hyphenate Roles: Identify and nurture filmmakers who are adept at writing, directing, and acting, as they often bring highly cohesive and passionate visions to their projects.
Expand Distribution Pathways for Indie Rom-Coms: Create robust theatrical and streaming opportunities for independent romantic comedies that may not fit traditional studio models but offer unique appeal.
Acknowledge the Demand for Relatable Queer Content: Understand that audiences are eager for stories that normalize and celebrate LGBTQ+ experiences, making these films commercially and culturally valuable.
Final Conclusions
Things Like This (2025), written, directed by, and starring Max Talisman, is a charming and deeply authentic independent romantic comedy. It gracefully navigates the complexities of modern queer love through the story of two gay men named Zack who, despite a fated connection, must confront their personal insecurities and past pain to fully embrace their relationship. Talisman's heartfelt vision delivers a refreshing and unapologetic portrayal of queer romance that is both genuinely humorous and universally relatable. With strong performances and a commitment to inclusivity, the film stands as a significant and much-needed contribution to the romantic comedy genre, proving that love stories can be both specific and broadly resonant.
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