“Surfacing” is a drama that shows a young queer man’s journey of dealing with his challenging inner demons

Childhood trauma can make adult relationships challenging. The pain imprinted during our formative years can linger, making it difficult to function as an independent, emotionally healthy person without doing inner work or therapy. In the new film Surfacing, we follow Cole (Damian Romeo), a young man carrying unresolved childhood trauma. After a self-destructive driving accident that stems from depression, he is mandated to attend therapy which leads him on a life altering self reflective time.

While working on his mental health, he also is doing some modeling. There, Cole ends up meeting an intriguing man named Jackson (Johnathan Sharp). Although Cole feels an intense physical attraction to him, he struggles to connect in a way that doesn’t leave Jackson feeling intimidated by his rough-around-the-edges demeanor. As Cole continues to heal, and Jackson confronts his own dysfunctional family dynamics regarding the truth behind his parents’ divorce, the two may just find a connection neither of them imagined was possible.

The film ultimately shines as a portrayal of what can happen when we allow ourselves to open our hearts to love, even when we feel undeserving of it. This message feels especially timely in an era where hookup culture is so prominent. While the film doesn’t outright condemn casual sex, it does suggest that for some individuals — like Cole — it can become a way to avoid deeper intimacy. 

The romantic moments between Cole and Jackson are where the film shines brightest. Cole’s tenderness complements Jackson’s grittier nature beautifully. Watching Jackson help Cole realize that healthy romance is possible — and that a life filled with deeper emotional connections and softness is within reach — feels genuinely nurturing, almost angelic. While the “bad boy meets the sweet, loving character” trope has been done countless times in romance films, seeing it explored here between two men feels fresh and meaningful. The film also subtly reinforces that queer relationships seek the same love and connection as any other, while acknowledging how being hurt in your past — regardless of gender — can make true love difficult.

The film makes use of striking underwater imagery as a visual metaphor for how pain can feel like a suffocating force, one that can weigh us down deeply and not allow us to live our lives to the fullest. These moments add meaningful depth to the story and help foster greater empathy for Cole’s internal struggle. The viewer is taken on a compelling emotional journey that encourages reflection on our own lives and the ways we relate to others. While keeping our guard up may feel safer, Surfacing thoughtfully makes us see that there is a possibility to lead an even more meaningful life.

Surfacing ends up being a well-crafted drama that captures how messy life can be from a queer man’s perspective. Rather than centering on the challenges of being gay, the film stands out in an era overflowing with queer content by focusing on something more universal: human connection. It explores how the world can inflict deep, lasting pain and the struggle to build a life where one can truly thrive despite lingering insecurities. 5/5 stars