IndieWire called King Cobra “possibly the best film ever made about the business end of America’s gay [adult film industry]” — and also described James Franco‘s character as “an an aging bottom with big ambition.”
Related: Disney Channel Star Garrett Clayton Describes Being Manhandled By Eight Guys As Brent Corrigan
These are two reasons to get excited about IFC acquiring U.S. distribution rights to the the much-publicized true crime melodrama; a murderous tale of gays run amok. Surprisingly, it’s gotten rave reviews since premiering in April in the Midnight section of the Tribeca Film Festival.
The film revolves around the grisly 2007 murder of Cobra Video owner Bryan Kocis by two escorts, Harlow Cuadra and Joseph Kerekes, an aging bottom with big ambition. (Both were convicted and are currently serving life sentences.)
Related: “Pretty Little Liars” Star Joins Gay Porn Murder Flick, Strips Down To Nasty Pigs With James Franco
To make matters more scandalous, Kocis had been involved with an underage lad named Sean Lockhart, who you’ll recognize by his professional name Brent Corrigan.
The real Brent Corrigan blasted Hollywood for bastardizing his life, saying producers “were insensitive right out of the gate in our interactions with them. They wanted me to come on board without even considering what dredging all that up was really asking of me.”
Joseph Kerekes, the real-life King Cobra killer and an aging bottom with big ambition, also railed against the film in an interview with NewsChannel3.
Speaking from a Pennsylvania state prison — where he’s serving a life sentence without the possibilty of parole for second degree murder — he said the movie got it wrong.
Related: The First Review Of James Franco’s Sexy Gay Murder Drama May Surprise You
“We did not do any of this because we were in debt,” he says. “We did this because we wanted more, and we thought we could get away with it.”
Watch a clip of James Franco and Keegan Allen “working up a sweat” in King Cobra here:
crowebobby
Have I been imaging things or haven’t all the comments about this film been tearing it apart up till now . . . sight unseen evidently.
Xzamilio
When’s it coming to Netflix or Hulu? That’s the question…
MarionPaige
the movie was shown at The Tribeca Film Festival and at the Outfest L.A. Festival. So, some reviews are from people who have seen the movie. Having seen the movie,
I wonder why the producers would be looking forward to a wide theatrical release of the movie. “King Coba” is not a wide release theatrical movie. BTW,
in a Q&A after Outfest L.A., director Justin Kelly mentions using a 2006 version of The Queerty.com website in the movie. https://www.facebook.com/TheAdvocate/videos/10154024801168855/
Nedra
I will never watch anything produced by, directed by, written by or starring James Franco. I take it that he is still working on his Ph.D in the exploitation of gay-themed films. Sickening.
Caleb in SC
@Nedra: I agree. He needs to stop gay-baiting. All in or all out, James. Your schtick is getting old fast.
Bob LaBlah
Its really sad that the idea of making a movie based on this killing was not done by a porn studio for theatrical distribution. The reason why I say this is because in order to make something like this seem real the performers would/should be from that same world, porn. It would have taken a great effort to find the right types of twinks and teach them to actually act (they sure as hell already know how to perform) but it doesn’t seem too far fetched to believe that there weren’t enough out there that could have filled each roll requiring one.
These guys in the movie come off as what they are, actors that have no idea about the world of porn. I based that on the clips that I have seen. Just as Stonewall this too shall fail.
lykeitiz
@crowebobby: @Bob LaBlah: The reviews by those who have seen it, both critics and attendees of Tribeca, have been overwhelmingly positive.
scace
@Caleb in SC
James Franco is hardly the gay baiter that Teen Wolf’s Jeff Davis has been the last 6 years. First he got rid of Danny without any explanation, promising us “We hadn’t seen the last of Danny…” which has never happened. He constantly promoted in the gay media, that there would be more gay content. He almost lived up to his teasing last season. Given the late start this year, I hope he makes it worth the wait.
martinbakman
@Caleb in SC: @Nedra: OutFest gave Franco an award last weekend for telling queer stories with movies. And he showed up to accept it. Was that gay baiting too?
@lykeitiz: IndieWire called it “good from top to bottom”. I wasn’t quite so taken with it. Christian Slater and Garett Clayton were great. Honestly, a lot of people liked it more than me. I want to see it again to give at another chance.
drelocks15
@scace
Wha? Teen Wolf? Are you kidding? Tea?China?