New Movies: Vanilla (2025) by Joseph A. Adesunloye: A Fraught Romance in Barcelona

"Vanilla" is a drama/romance film directed by British-Nigerian filmmaker Joseph A. Adesunloye. It follows Bastien (Yann Gaël) and Matt (James Smith), an interracial gay couple who travel to Barcelona for their third anniversary, hoping to repair their relationship after Bastien's infidelity with a woman. As they grapple with trust and intimacy, their fragile attempt at mending things is further complicated by the arrival of Florent (Jack Hamilton), a queer Englishman who captures Bastien's attention, threatening to shatter their bond entirely. The film explores themes of love, betrayal, communication, and the complexities of modern relationships.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13238176/

About movie: https://theopenreel.com/film/vanilla/

Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/vanilla-2025 (US), https://www.justwatch.com/ca/movie/vanilla-2025 (Canada)

Detailed Summary

"Vanilla," a 2025 drama and romance film, is the third feature from acclaimed British-Nigerian writer-director Joseph A. Adesunloye ("White Colour Black," "Faces"). With a runtime of 76 minutes, the film delves into the intricate dynamics of a relationship under strain.

The story centers on Bastien (Yann Gaël, known from "1899" and "Saloum"), who is Black, and Matt (James Smith, from "The Favourite," "The Thick of It"), who is white, an interracial gay couple. They decide to celebrate their third anniversary with a romantic getaway to sunny Barcelona, hoping the change of scenery and shared time in a beautiful house near the beach will help them overcome a significant hurdle: Bastien's recent infidelity with a woman.

Matt is struggling deeply to move past the betrayal, and his hurt is affecting their physical intimacy. Despite this, both men are committed to attempting to communicate honestly and rebuild their connection. However, their fragile efforts are severely tested by the unexpected arrival of Florent (Jack Hamilton), a charismatic queer Englishman living in Spain. Florent quickly catches Bastien's eye, throwing a "spanner in the works" and introducing new temptations and complications to their already rocky relationship.

"Vanilla" is described as a film that explores "love, betrayal, jealousy, secrets and desires," examining the challenges and complexities that can arise within modern relationships. It promises a nuanced portrayal of an interracial gay couple navigating infidelity and the temptation of new connections, set against the vibrant backdrop of Barcelona. The film was selected for Locarno Film Festival’s – Locarno Pro First Look on UK Film 2023, indicating early industry recognition. It's produced by Adesunloye and DreamCoat Films.

Plot Summary

• Anniversary Getaway: Bastien and Matt, an interracial gay couple, go to Barcelona for their third anniversary.

• Post-Infidelity Struggles: Their trip is intended to mend their relationship after Bastien's recent infidelity with a woman, which has left Matt struggling with trust and intimacy issues.

• Attempt at Reconciliation: Bastien and Matt try to communicate openly and reconnect, hoping to overcome the breach in their bond.

• The Third Party: Their efforts are disrupted by the arrival of Florent, a queer Englishman living in Spain, who becomes a new point of attraction for Bastien.

• Relationship in Jeopardy: Florent's presence further destabilizes Bastien and Matt's already fragile relationship, forcing them to confront deeper issues of loyalty, desire, and commitment.

Director's Vision

Joseph A. Adesunloye, known for his nuanced exploration of identity, relationships, and the Black male experience in his previous films ("White Colour Black," "Faces"), likely brings a sensitive yet unflinching vision to "Vanilla." His vision for the film would include:

• Intimate Character Study: A deep dive into the emotional landscape of the two main characters, Bastien and Matt, focusing on their individual struggles with trust, desire, and self-worth.

• Exploring Relationship Complexities: Adesunloye aims to portray the intricate and often messy realities of modern relationships, including the aftermath of infidelity and the allure of new connections.

• Nuanced Portrayal of LGBTQIA+ Relationships: The film offers a specific lens on an interracial gay couple, contributing to diverse representation in cinema while exploring universal themes of love and betrayal.

• Visual Storytelling in a Vibrant Setting: Using Barcelona as a backdrop, Adesunloye would likely leverage the city's atmosphere to either complement or contrast with the emotional tension within the couple. Cinematography by Claudio Napoli and music by Ros Gilman are noted, suggesting an emphasis on mood and aesthetics.

• Authenticity in Dialogue and Emotion: Given Adesunloye's background, the film would strive for genuine emotional beats and dialogue that reflects the real-life struggles of his characters.

Themes

• Love and Infidelity: The core theme revolves around a couple grappling with the aftermath of betrayal and the enduring power of love versus the destructive nature of infidelity.

• Trust and Forgiveness: The film explores the difficult process of rebuilding trust and the challenges of forgiveness in a strained relationship.

• Communication Breakdown and Repair: The narrative highlights the struggles and attempts at honest communication between partners facing a crisis.

• Sexual Identity and Desire: The introduction of a third party and Bastien's past infidelity with a woman raises questions about identity, fluid desires, and commitment within a queer relationship.

• Jealousy and Temptation: The arrival of Florent introduces new layers of jealousy and temptation, further testing the couple's bond.

• Interracial Relationships: The film subtly or explicitly explores dynamics specific to an interracial couple navigating personal and external pressures.

Key Success Factors

• Relevant and Relatable Subject Matter: Themes of love, betrayal, and relationship struggles are universally relatable, drawing a broad audience.

• Timely LGBTQIA+ Representation: The focus on an interracial gay couple navigating complex emotional issues contributes to important and expanding representation in cinema.

• Experienced Director: Joseph A. Adesunloye has a proven track record of creating impactful and critically recognized independent films.

• International Sales and Festival Presence: The Open Reel handling international sales and the film's selection for Locarno Pro suggest strong industry confidence and potential for festival success.

• Talented Cast: Yann Gaël and James Smith bring strong acting chops, providing depth to the lead characters.

Awards and Nominations

"Vanilla" was selected for Locarno Film Festival's – Locarno Pro First Look on UK Film 2023, indicating industry recognition and a positive outlook for the film's quality. As it has a 2025 release date (in some regions), it is still early for major awards or nominations. However, its festival presence suggests it will likely be submitted to other international film festivals specializing in independent and LGBTQIA+ cinema.

Production Summary

"Vanilla" is a 76-minute drama/romance film. It was produced in 2024 (though some sources list 2023) and has a 2025 release date in some regions. It is written and directed by Joseph A. Adesunloye. The main cast includes:

• Yann Gaël as Bastien

• James Smith as Matt

• Jack Hamilton as Florent

The screenplay is by Joseph A. Adesunloye and Gabriel Winter. Cinematography: Claudio Napoli Editing: Philip Brereton, Christopher CF Chow BFE Music: Ros Gilman Production Company: DreamCoat Films

Production Companies

DreamCoat Films (UK)

Sales Companies

The Open Reel (International Sales)

Distribution Companies

Distribution details are not widely publicized yet, but its presence on platforms like JustWatch and MUBI (with a 2025 release noted) suggests it will be available via streaming and VOD. IMDb also lists a US release date in June 2025.

Release date on streaming

IMDb lists a US release date of June 3, 2025. It is also likely to be available for rent/purchase on platforms like Apple TV, Amazon Video, and Fandango At Home around that time, as indicated by JustWatch.

Theatrical Release

"Vanilla" does not appear to have a wide theatrical release. It is typical for independent films like this to debut at film festivals (it was part of Locarno Pro First Look) and then move to streaming/VOD platforms.

Why to recommend this movie

• Compelling Relationship Drama: It offers a raw and honest look at a couple trying to navigate the painful aftermath of infidelity.

• Diverse Representation: The film centers on an interracial gay couple, contributing to nuanced and important LGBTQIA+ storytelling.

• Joseph A. Adesunloye's Vision: From a director known for his sensitive and character-driven works, audiences can expect a thought-provoking and emotionally rich experience.

• Timely Themes: It tackles universal issues of trust, temptation, and the complexities of modern love.

• Strong Performances: Yann Gaël and James Smith are anticipated to deliver powerful and authentic portrayals.

Why to Watch Movie

• If you enjoy intimate, character-focused dramas: The film prioritizes emotional depth and relationship dynamics.

• For stories that explore the nuances of queer relationships: It offers a specific perspective on a gay couple facing significant challenges.

• If you appreciate films about overcoming adversity in love: The central struggle is about whether a relationship can survive betrayal.

• To see the work of an acclaimed independent filmmaker: Joseph A. Adesunloye consistently delivers compelling narratives.

• For a cinematic trip to Barcelona: The setting adds an atmospheric backdrop to the intense emotional drama.

Movie Trend

"Vanilla" aligns with the growing trend of Intimate, Independent Dramas Focusing on LGBTQIA+ Relationships and Their Complexities. There's a rising demand for authentic, non-stereotypical portrayals of queer characters navigating universal human experiences like love, betrayal, and personal growth. This trend often sees films gaining traction through film festivals and then finding audiences on streaming and VOD platforms. It also fits into the broader movement of Diverse Filmmaker Voices gaining platforms.

Social Trend

"Vanilla" taps into the social trend of Increasing Openness and Nuance in Discussions of Relationships and Identity. As societal norms evolve, there's a greater willingness to explore the complexities of love, intimacy, and sexual identity, moving beyond simplistic narratives. The film's focus on infidelity within a gay interracial couple, and the fluidity of desire, reflects a contemporary desire for more honest and multi-faceted portrayals of human connection, challenging traditional definitions of relationships and identity.

Final Verdict

"Vanilla" is a compelling and emotionally charged drama that promises a raw and honest exploration of a relationship on the brink. Joseph A. Adesunloye, a filmmaker with a strong track record of sensitive storytelling, delves into the painful aftermath of infidelity and the allure of new temptations within an interracial gay couple. With strong performances from Yann Gaël and James Smith, and set against the beautiful backdrop of Barcelona, the film is poised to be an intimate character study that resonates with its universal themes of love, trust, and the challenging path to reconciliation. Its focus on authentic human experience and diverse representation makes it a noteworthy addition to independent cinema in 2025.