Dean Francis has never shied away from bold filmmaking, and with Body Blow he delivers what might be his most daring project yet. Premiering at Fantastic Fest 2025, the film takes the framework of the 1990s erotic thriller and refracts it through a distinctly queer perspective, creating something both nostalgic and strikingly modern.
The story follows Aiden (Tim Pocock), a disgraced cop battling sex addiction who goes undercover in Sydney’s neon-soaked gay district. There, he becomes entangled with Cody (Tom Rodgers), a seductive bartender, and Fat Frankie (Paul Capsis), a drag queen mob boss whose murder sets off a spiral of desire, betrayal, and survival.
Speaking with me ahead of the world premiere, Francis described Body Blow as “reclaiming the erotic thriller from a queer perspective,” acknowledging the genre’s heteronormative roots while celebrating its pulpy pleasures. His approach was not about shoehorning queerness into a familiar template but weaving it into the DNA of the narrative. “Nothing felt forced—every decision had purpose,” Francis said.
The film’s visual identity is equally deliberate. Francis and cinematographer Franc Biffone leaned into deep shadows, bold neon palettes, and the gritty texture of Sydney’s nightlife, while letting iconic venues like the Stonewall Hotel speak for themselves. The result is a heightened noir aesthetic that feels both authentic and stylized.
Much of Body Blow’s resonance comes from its cast. Pocock, who also composed original score cues, drew on his own personal history to bring depth to Aiden’s conflicted character. Rodgers embodied Cody’s dangerous charm, while Capsis infused Fat Frankie with lived-in authenticity. “It was an intense collaboration with a wonderful cast,” Francis explained, noting how each actor brought personal experience and perspective into their roles.
At its core, Body Blow is as much about identity and self-discovery as it is about crime and noir archetypes. Francis hopes audiences will first and foremost enjoy the ride, but he also sees deeper meaning in the story’s resolution: “We all have to uncover the truth about who we really are—and that’s a journey that takes a lifetime.
Despite actress Sacha Horler having to cancel our scheduled chat, my conversation with Dean Francis left me even more appreciative of the thought, passion, and grit behind Body Blow. It’s a film that honors its influences while forging its own unapologetically queer path, and it sets the stage for Francis as one of Australia’s most daring filmmakers to watch.
Jessie Hobson