Ep. 316: William Friedkin's "Cruising" (1980)

Claire and Gavia review William Friedkin's 1980 crime thriller Cruising, starring Al Pacino as a New York cop who goes undercover in local gay bars, searching for a serial killer who targets men in the leather community. Controversial at the time, this film is now praised for its remarkable exploration of masculine identity and violence.

Best known for directing The Exorcist and The French Connection, Friedkin made Cruising at the peak of his year, leveraging his success to film a daring portrayal of queer male sexuality. In this episode we cover Friedkin’s cynical view of law enforcement, why Cruising faced backlash from gay rights groups, and how the film’s reputation has shifted over the decades.

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“Friedkin Defends His ‘Cruising’,” Janet Maslin, New York Times

“‘It Was Pornography’: Friedkin Closes the Book on the Missing 40 Minutes of Cruising” Stephen Saito, The Moveable Fest

“Musing on 'Cruising',” Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

Previous episodes: The Exorcist