When Gheorghe Ionescu (Alec Secăreanu), a Romanian migrant worker, is hired to help during lambing season, Johnny is initially resentful. However, as they work together in the harsh but beautiful landscape, their relationship evolves from hostility to mutual respect and then into a passionate romance. Unlike Johnny’s past encounters, Gheorghe offers tenderness and emotional depth, challenging Johnny to confront his own fears and vulnerabilities.

As their relationship deepens, Johnny struggles with his ingrained emotional repression. Gheorghe, unwilling to be treated as just another fleeting escape, forces Johnny to choose between self-destruction or embracing love.

The film explores themes of masculinity, emotional repression, class struggles, and the immigrant experience. It subverts traditional notions of masculinity, portraying love and tenderness as acts of strength rather than weakness.

Director Francis Lee employs a naturalistic and almost documentary-like style, using minimal dialogue and stunning cinematography to convey emotions. The Yorkshire landscape is not just a backdrop but an integral part of the story, symbolizing both isolation and the possibility of renewal.

The intimacy of the film is notable, with deeply personal love scenes that feel authentic rather than sensationalized. Josh O’Connor and Alec Secăreanu deliver deeply moving performances, making their characters’ emotional arcs feel genuine and affecting.

God’s Own Country was widely acclaimed, winning awards at Sundance and other international film festivals. It was praised for its honest, unsentimental portrayal of a same-sex relationship, avoiding clichés and melodrama. Many critics and viewers appreciated how it presented a story of love and redemption without making sexuality the sole conflict.

The film has since become an important LGBTQ+ classic, offering a hopeful yet realistic depiction of love and personal growth.

Have you seen it, or are you thinking about watching it?