‘Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe’ Is the End-of-Summer Queer Romance We Need

Ari and Dante share one of my favorite, if well-worn, character dynamics: the chemistry between an observant, quiet type who doesn’t let a blank face betray his emotions and an outspoken, unfiltered friend who wears his anxieties on his sleeve. The film’s set decoration and costuming further complement their contrasting personalities: Ari’s room is devoid of items, mirroring his philosophy of keeping his emotions hidden away. Dante’s room, on the other hand, is cluttered with clothes, books, and records.

But what makes Aitch Alberto’s adaptation stand out from other familiar coming-of-age dramas of the same archetype is her delicate direction and laid-back tone. Each cute hang-out scene between the central pair beautifully illustrates how each admires the other’s distinguishing traits, often implicitly and wordlessly. Within the first half, Alberto has already allowed us to inhabit the richness of the boys’ bond, showing how they’re cozy and open about everything together but crumble the second they separate. As they trek through El Paso’s wide-open spaces, discussing their deepest concerns about who they are, it’s as though Ari and Dante are the only two people in the universe — long before the titular secrets of the universe enter the discussion.

As Ari, Max Pelayo controls the film with a subtle yet moving leading performance. He captures the budding evolution of a young man grappling with inner turmoil, putting on an intricate display of angst, gentleness, and seriousness. In a handful of devastating moments when Ari lashes out in anguish, Pelayo allows the insecurity beneath the anger to peek through, illustrating how Ari’s most hurtful actions derive from a place of fear.

Reese Gonzales’s performance is equally remarkable, letting Dante’s warmth fill the screen without ever dipping into overly saccharine territory. It’s worth mentioning that this is Gonzales’ second rodeo as Dante following a live reading of Alberto’s spec script during Outfest 2018 alongside Blue Beetle’s Xolo Maridueña. Gonzales has lived with this character for a long time — and it shows.

Through its brief 97-minute runtime, Aristotle and Dante rapidly chronicles a year of the central relationship in eventful slice-of-life moments. While it’s easy to get invested in these two characters, the breezy pacing sometimes undercuts their development. Many earnest moments shared between the leads hardly have time to marinate before the next scene begins. At certain points, the tone teeters into almost operatic territory, with successive dramatic beats landing one after the other.

Still, Aristotle and Dante is an endearing LGBTQ+ coming-of-age flick that brilliantly sets itself apart from other familiar teen dramas. Bolstered by Max Pelayo and Reese Gonzales’s genuine chemistry, Alberto’s heartwarming direction makes this a film that shouldn’t be kept secret.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is in theaters now.

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