Heated Rivalry star explains why he was drawn to “weird energy” of acclaimed new film Lunar Sway

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Cliff, played by Noah Parker, lives a simple, quiet life in the town of Mooncrest, making signs to get by. But when a woman named Marg (Liza Weil) appears, claiming to be his mother, he realizes he needs to make some changes in his life.

Lunar Sway, a highlight of this year’s BFI Flare festival, draws inspiration from various films, but the film’s distinctive, surreal, and often chaotic portrayal of bisexuality feels entirely original, thanks to the vision of writer and director Nick Butler.

Butler describes his film, Lunar Sway, as having a vibe similar to the movies Paris, Texas and those by David Lynch – it’s unusual and features a lot of strange, memorable people in a small town setting. However, he credits the Coen brothers as his biggest cinematic influence, noting their talent for creating vivid and eccentric characters.

I’ve been following Cliff’s story, and it’s full of really interesting people! He meets all sorts of quirky characters along the way – like Bailey, this self-appointed hero, and even his therapist, Neal, who isn’t the best at, well, taking notes. But even with all the strange things happening on his road trip through the Midwest, it’s someone from his past, an artist named Jovi, who really sticks with him and seems to be on his mind the most.

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Cliff revisits hazy memories of posing nude for Jovi, a time that feels distant and dreamlike. As he remembers, details become unclear – even Jovi’s face fades from his mind. Their connection was intensely passionate, evolving from artistic inspiration to a physical relationship, but despite this, they were ultimately separated by fate.

Connors was immediately captivated by the unusual and distinctive moments in Butler’s script. He explained to TopMob, “I’m naturally drawn to things that feel genuine and aren’t trying to please everyone. Those qualities are really appealing to me.”

Jovi has face blindness, meaning he struggles to recognize people. This leads to a surprising reunion with Cliff, but Cliff is the only one who remembers they’ve met before.

I was immediately intrigued when I read the script and character description for Jovi. He’s a really layered and complex character, which is exactly what an actor looks for – something you can really get invested in.

I have to say, watching Liza Weil in this new project is interesting. She’s already a familiar face, having really broken out with roles in shows like Gilmore Girls and How to Get Away With Murder. But her co-star, Connors, has had a totally different career path – it feels like this role is really his big break, a complete reversal of Weil’s established status.

Butler remembers when they cast Kaden, the ‘Heated Rivalry‘ phenomenon hadn’t started yet. Kaden made a fantastic audition tape and brought something truly special to the role. They were looking for an actor with a strong, distinct personality who could really embody the character, and Kaden had that unique, almost otherworldly quality they needed.

A dreamlike atmosphere permeates the entire film. Director Butler explains, “I aimed to build a world that feels a little unreal and intensified,” noting that this choice reflects the story’s themes of deception. The central character is constantly questioning who to trust, and the film’s visuals enhance that sense of uncertainty.

But it’s in these encounters between Cliff and Kaden’s Jovi where we feel this disorientation most.

Cliff is constantly reliving painful memories of their relationship, fueling his longing and sadness. It feels like a disturbing dream – beautiful moments mixed with haunting ones, creating a torturous experience. To capture the intensity of those emotions, we used dramatic and symbolic imagery, as that felt like the only way to truly represent that overwhelming state of mind.

Beyond the symbolic meaning, the story also features explicit scenes of nudity and sex, adding a more direct, physical element.

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Connors praises Aryn, saying, “They’re amazing at their job.” Aryn helped the team feel at ease by having initial discussions, which Connors explains is a great way to reduce anxiety and manage any nervous energy. Simply starting a conversation about sensitive topics can make a big difference.”

This was one of Kaden’s initial experiences working with an intimacy coordinator, but fans of ‘Heated Rivalry’ will recognize similar scenes involving his character, Sasha. Butler points out that the popularity of the show that launched Connors’ career has also increased attention for ‘Lunar Sway’.

We never expected Kaden to become so well-known, but his popularity has been a great benefit. We saw a lot of fans of ‘Heated Rivalry’ attend the BFI screenings because Kaden was promoting them on Instagram. Having performers like him, as well as Weil and up-and-coming Noah Parker, in leading roles definitely gives the film more credibility with festival organizers and distributors – they pay attention to that. However, ultimately, I believe the quality of the acting and the film itself are what truly matter.

Similar to Connors’ previous film, Lunar Sway deeply explores queer themes – it’s not simply about the past relationship between Cliff and Jovi. The film’s style, how it handles memory and connections, and even its overall mood and type all suggest a natural flexibility that feels inherently queer. This was a major reason Connors wanted to make the film.

Butler wants viewers to connect with Cliff’s story on a personal level, recognizing his desire for love and connection, even if he searches for it in unhealthy ways. While the story specifically explores queer experiences and the complexities of bisexuality in ‘Lunar Sway,’ the core message about longing and flawed attempts at connection is meant to be universal.

At its heart, this story is about a character’s journey to break a harmful habit – something many people can probably understand. If this doesn’t resonate with readers, hopefully the story will offer a glimmer of hope, much like the signs Cliff creates in the quirky town of Mooncrest where everything unfolds.

Lunar Sway premiered at the BFI Flare festival in 2026 and will be available across the UK later this year.

Authors

David OpieFreelance Writer

David Opie is a freelance journalist who covers TV and film for various online publications like TopMob, Indiewire, and Empire. He’s a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ representation, often speaking on panels about queer stories in media and actively promoting LGBTQ+ storytelling. Beyond TV and film, he enjoys comics, animation, and horror—and he’s a big fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, hoping to see a musical episode inspired by it on RuPaul’s Drag Race. Before his current work, he was a Deputy TV Editor at Digital Spy and holds a degree in Psychology.

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2026-04-02 19:35