Brand-new, young love is fragile as it is, but when you put a global pandemic on top of it, problems seem to pop up at every turn. If you are a fan of popular Boys Love series, you might be familiar with last year’s Gameboys ("level-up" edition is now available on Netflix), and the new movie sequel takes the romance between these two lovebirds to unexpected and swoon-worthy places.

Gameboys: The Movie picks up where the series left off. Cairo (Elijah Canlas) has moved in with Gavreel (Kokoy de Santos from ImageOut’s First Cut Festival entry, Oh Mando!). Since their relationship is in a fresh phase, Cairo is hesitant to do anything physical no matter how much Gavreel tries to get into his pants. They try to keep things as interesting as they can when they are stuck at home.

As the boys try to make the best of the situation, Gavreel’s ex-boyfriend, Terrence, shows up. And then Cairo’s gaming buddy, Wesley. And then Gavreel’s conservative Aunt Susan insists on staying for a few days. While the quartet of lovesick boys enjoy their time cooped up with one another, they have to tiptoe around Aunt Susan’s intolerant ways. Gavreel soon learns how much Cairo cares for him when the name of their relationship is on the line and threatened by someone who hurls hateful words in their direction.

Sometimes the Boys Love genre can get stuck with being too twee or too chaste and sweet, but Gameboys: The Movie is interested in creating a hopeful love story with some weight and meaning. Cairo and Gavreel move beyond the trappings of a web series into something quite poignant and heartfelt as they mature towards a serious relationship. Bring on another chapter!

~ Joey Moser