It Used to be Witches: Under the Spell of Queer Cinema

by Ryan Gilbey

Playfully blending personal memoir, criticism and candid new interviews with filmmakers from across the LGBTQ+ spectrum, Ryan Gilbey's engaging and dynamic It Used to be Witches is a non-chronological treasure-hunt through queer cinema past and present. Andrew Haigh (All of Us Strangers), Cheryl Dunye (The Watermelon Woman), Isabel Sandoval (Lingua Franca) and Bruce LaBruce (No Skin Off My Ass) are among the directors who reveal how queer artists use film to express their most personal truths-and to challenge, defy and outrage a world that would rather they didn't exist.

That world might look rainbow-coloured from some angles, with the likes of Brokeback Mountain, Call Me By Your Name, Moonlight and Portrait of a Lady on Fire winning awards and acclaim. But as queer and trans people find themselves increasingly under attack, It Used to Be Witches asks whether cinema can be an effective weapon of resistance and change, and celebrates an outlaw spirit which refuses to die.

Genres: Nonfiction, Queer, LGBT, Film, History

406 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 3, 2025

Reviews

[Bert · Rating 4 out of 5]

At times a little pretentious, and at times a little limited to European queer cinema (I would’ve loved to see Australian and Canadian queer cinema explored), but overall, quite good. It’s clearly going for an academic approach, which means it’s very well written, thoughtfully put together, and impressively researched. I just found myself wishing for a bit more of the fun and casual energy that comes so naturally when talking queer films with friends, because this leans a little too… serious?

Still, even with those quibbles, I genuinely enjoyed it, and it left me excited to see what this author does next. Great work.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

cinema and sexuality have always been as closely intertwined for him as the stripes on a barbershop pole

[Ned · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. While I thought I was well-versed in queer film, this book introduced me to important films I’d missed. With movies I was already familiar with, Gilbey offered fresh and rare readings. He’s a careful and thoughtful viewer and helps me appreciate films that I love even more. It’s my most recommended book this year.

[Gabrielle Anagnostopoulos · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give this 3.5 stars if I could. What I will say is this book is very well researched and incredibly detailed on the subject of queer cinema. I loved the way that the author wove in his own relationship with queerness and his coming out story into the conversations with filmmakers and chapters about different films. It's also an excellent examination of queer films, a few of the chapters explored really interesting points and I love that he wasn't afraid to explore contradictory views.

What made this hard for me is there was such a gap in my own knowledge, that it made it hard for me to follow. A lot of the films and filmmakers listed were brand new to me, and it made it hard to keep track. Where I did recognize the titles mentioned, it was easier for me to draw out the thesis of Gilbey's chapters. I also think the book was at its strongest when it was interviewing film makers as opposed to diving into the various histories of various movies.

Overall, I'd say this is a better book if you have a background knowledge on queer cinema (or you're willing to watch movies and google along as you read), but as someone who was hoping for a bit more of an entry level book I found it missed the mark on that a bit.

[Serador Gabriel · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's one scene described in the book where the author, enamoured by the work and reputation of the director he has joined for the day on the set of his latest film, begins to explain to two recent film graduates on the crew exactly why the director is a big deal. "He made this, and of course the iconic that, and the way he did the thing in that was unforgettable..." only to finish his impromptu monologue and notice that his audience's attention spans had long dwindled, before they hastily pack up and leave. I felt a bit like that at times. Like I should have known more than I did going in.

I adored parts of this book, but couldn't help at times feel completely lost in the vast gap of knowledge between mine and the author's knowledge of queer film history. It would certainly be more enjoyable if read while watching all the films, and I have a whole lot of recommendations to dive into.

[Sanna-Mari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extensive and detailed book about queer cinema and I mean that truly: if you are not interested in the details of how queer cinema has developed and how it fits (and often isn't allowed to fit) in the cinema world on its own terms, this is not a book for you. Gilbey however makes the reading experience pleasant with a slight mix of his own personal experience as a queer individual but also as a professional film critic.

The whole book is an interesting mix of knowledge, consepts, analysis, interviews and lists. I don't think I've ever seen this wide film selection of material for a book. Kudos for Gilbey making a what still gets called niche sector of film making highly interesting and illuminating.

[Ryan Crane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating look at the history of queer cinema, featuring plenty of films that I’ll be adding to my watchlist. Didn’t agree with all of the criticisms (Moonlight is one of my faves) but really appreciated the observations - especially on the importance of capturing imperfect and authentic queer characters on screen.

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best birthday gift. Great read

[Salli · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book read for research which has expanded my horizons (and my vocabulary). It gets a three because not having seen the films I got a bit lost and confused on occasion but a good introduction to the complexities of Queer Cinema and the life it reflects and a way to discover new films to follow up and read old films in new ways.