Drama,Comedy,Romance
United States of America
Latter Days is an independent romantic drama film released in 2003, written and directed by C. Jay Cox. It follows the story of Elder Aaron Davis, a young Mormon missionary who is sent to Los Angeles to convert people to the Mormon faith. However, he is frequently rejected and called many homophobic slurs due to his faith and the strict rules he must abide by.
Meanwhile, Christian, a carefree and promiscuous waiter in a nearby cafe, is intrigued by Aaron's innocence and naivete. He bets his friends that he can seduce Aaron, even though he knows that Aaron is a Mormon and therefore off-limits.
As Christian and Aaron begin a clandestine relationship, Aaron becomes more and more conflicted by his feelings for Christian and his loyalty to his faith and his family. Christian, on the other hand, begins to fall in love with Aaron, but is still haunted by his past and his own insecurities.
The film deals with themes such as sexual identity, faith, prejudice, and the consequences of living a double life. It features a talented cast including Steve Sandvoss (as Aaron), Wes Ramsey (as Christian), Mary Kay Place (as Aaron's mother), and Joseph Gordon-Levitt (as Elder Paul Ryder).
Latter Days was a critical and commercial success, receiving numerous awards and nominations at film festivals around the world. It has since become a cult classic within the LGBTQ+ community and has been praised for its realistic portrayal of the struggles faced by young gay men in conservative and religious environments.
