Better Nate Than Ever

Synopsis:

13-year-old Nate Foster is an unpopular kid who entertains vivid fantasies of becoming a big Broadway musical star. In the meantime, however, Nate can’t even get a decent role in his middle school’s drama productions; he gets cast as a tree in the chorus instead of in the lead role he craves. However, when he and his best friend Libby mastermind a daring trip to New York City without their parents’ knowledge, to audition for “Lilo and Stitch: The Musical,” Nate might be on the verge of fulfilling his lifelong dream. But first, he must overcome a series of comical obstacles that threaten his Broadway adventure with disaster at every farcical turn.

Quick Thoughts:

One of the easiest ways to determine if a queer film is worth watching is how well it captivates me – especially as I often will put on a movie while doing work. Even after realising that I’ve already seen “Better Nate Than Ever” when I started to rewatch it to add my thoughts, I could not watch anything else! It’s cute and charming, a very “Disney-fied” version of the underdog taking a risk and achieving everything they want. And I actually love that they chose to tie in “Lilo & Stitch”, because the message of no one gets left behind is drawn into Nate’s entire family. And Rueby Wood’s performance as Nate is simply impressive!

Now is it queer? I easily say it is – even though they don’t explicitly state anything specific. Disney played it safe, which isn’t entirely a bad thing considering this is a movie meant for younger kids to relate to more. No one’s sexuality is talked about, though we get close when Nate tells his best friend Libby that he loves her, just not like that. But is “Better Nate Than Ever” queer-coded? Absolutely! Plus it’s a refreshing and entertaining film that makes you finish with a smile on your face.