Todd Haynes’s latest melodrama, May December, is a discomforting watch loosely based on the ‘90s Seattle scandal that unfolded between teacher Mary Kay Letourneau and then-12-year-old Vili Fualaau; Letourneau went to prison on rape charges, giving birth to two children from Fualaau while in custody. When the boy turned 18, they got married. In May December, Natalie Portman plays an actress who comes to stay with a character based on the former teacher and her husband, played by Julianne Moore and Charles Melton, respectively. She is researching for her upcoming, Oscar-baity role in which she will play the grooming abuser. 

Featuring a twisted core, juicy and unexpected twists, and a star-making performance from Charles Melton, May December never reveals an objective truth. The film takes place decades following the scandal, leaving the audience to piece together what is fact, what is fiction, and what has been buried beneath layers of denial and peachy facades. As is often the case when it comes to Haynes, the film is beautiful yet tragic; unsettling to contemplate but compelling in its complexity. He leaves you questioning all you think you know to be true. 

Todd Haynes often explores unconventional narratives that challenge societal norms, while maintaining a visually striking atmosphere. His works are subversive and intimate, and he has many films worth watching following May December. 

‘Far From Heaven’ | 2002 | Prime Video  

Set in conservative 1950s suburbia, Far From Heaven follows housewife Cathy Whitaker (Julianne Moore), whose idyllic life — which reeks of etiquette and decorum and boasts a calendar filled with events at the social club — unravels when she discovers her husband Frank is engaging in a homosexual relationship. As Cathy navigates the challenges of her disintegrating marriage, she develops an unexpected connection with Raymond Deagan (Dennis Haysbert), her African-American gardener. 

The film skillfully tackles issues of race, sexuality, and gender against the backdrop of ‘50s conservatism. Haynes’s vibrant technicolor palette and meticulous set design contribute to the film’s allure, transporting viewers back to the repressive yet visually captivating world of the 1950s. Haynes’s film pays homage to the celebrated melodramas of Douglas Sirk, while injecting the genre with contemporary relevance; in this case, challenging the very notion of the American Dream. 

‘Carol’ | 2015 | Netflix

Also set in the 1950s, Carol explores the burgeoning relationship between two women: Carol Aird (Cate Blanchett), a sophisticated woman navigating a divorce, and Therese Belivet (Rooney Mara), a young aspiring photographer. Once again, Haynes is particularly interested in aesthetics, selecting a 16mm film stock, which gives the film a grainy texture reminiscent of Hollywood’s Golden Age. 

From costume design to set decorations, Haynes’s meticulous attention to detail concerning period pieces shines through. However, though the atmosphere relays the ‘50s with crazed precision, the film is thematically infused with timeless sensibilities, challenging societal prejudices via the resiliency of human connection. At its core, the movie is an intricate character study that explores the inner lives of its protagonists as their desires unfold slowly and naturally. Focusing on the universal themes of love, longing, and societal expectations, the movie becomes an enduring story about a same-sex love that is not sensationalized but defined by dignity. 

‘Poison’ | 1991 | Prime Video 

Poison consists of three interconnected stories: “Hero,” “Homo” and “Horror.” Told in documentary-style format, “Hero” relays the story of a young boy, Richie, who discovers a meteorite. The meteorite releases a mysterious substance, giving the boy superpowers. Richie becomes a media sensation and the film delves into society’s obsession with heroes and the exploitation of innocence. 

“Homo” unfolds in a prison setting and centers on the romantic and violent relationship between two inmates. The segment explores societal condemnation of homosexuality alongside desire and repression. 

“Horror,” featuring the aesthetic appeal of a B-movie horror flick, follows a scientist who isolates a sex-mutating gene and injects it into himself. The man becomes a monster, as the segment explores anxieties surrounding the unknown. 

The three segments are thematically linked through their exploration of marginalized identities, societal repression, and the consequences of desire. Considered a triumph in the independent filmmaking space, Poison explores taboos while paying homage to various cinematic styles; Haynes interweaves genres that seemingly have no business coexisting yet manages complete cohesion via thematic throughlines and consistently complex and nuanced characters. 

‘I’m Not There’ | 2007 | Tubi 

Casting multiple actors to play the legendary musician, Bob Dylan, Haynes’s I’m Not There is an experimental and innovative biographical musical drama. From Heath Ledger and Christian Bale to Cate Blanchett, the switching actors mirror Dylan’s transformation as an artist across time. 

Each segment is shot in a distinct manner, from documentary-like footage to stylized recreations of iconic moments, Haynes’s versatility as a director is on full display. The film completely subverts the typical biopic format via non-linear narrative, multiple interpretations, and a great deal of symbolism and metaphor — the latter of which parallel Dylan’s lyricism. The approach to the film thus underscores Dylan’s enigmatic existence, leaving the audience to piece together who he was. Most biopics do not offer mystery or perspective, but aim to relay a singular vision; such would have been a disservice to the very person Bob Dylan is…and Haynes knew that.

Dark Waters | 2019 | Prime Video 

Dark Waters is a gripping legal thriller based on the true story of attorney Robert Billot, who took on the powerful chemical company DuPont, uncovering the severe health and environmental hazards caused by the money-hungry company’s unregulated dumping of toxic chemicals. Though an aesthetic departure from the likes of Far From Heaven or May December, Dark Waters is undoubtedly one of Haynes’s greatest cinematic triumphs.

The suspense builds gradually in the film, as Bilott ( Mark Ruffalo) transitions from defending chemical companies to fighting them — even at the risk of his livelihood. There’s no flashy filmmaking or harsh piano chords to distract from the sobriety of the environmental crisis at the film’s core. It’s a gritty and authentic exposé, relaying the beuaractic challenges, personal hurdles, and legal battles Bilott had to endure up against a company with more money than god. What happens when industry sacrifices humanity? When people become statistics? When those with power learn to detach from those without it? 

Other Must-See Todd Haynes Movies: 

• Six By Sondheim | 2013 | Prime Video | Official Description: An intimate and candid look at the life and art of the legendary composer-lyricist.
• The Velvet Underground | 2021| Apple TV+ | Official Description: The Velvet Underground explores the multiple threads that converged to bring together one of the most influential bands in rock and roll.
• Wonderstruck | 2017 | Prime Video | Official Description: Tells the tale of two children separated by fifty years. In 1927, Rose searches for the actress whose life she chronicles in her scrapbook; in 1977, Ben runs away from home to find his father.
• Velvet Goldmine | 1998 | Prime Video | Official Description:  In 1984, British journalist Arthur Stuart investigates the career of 1970s glam superstar Brian Slade, who was heavily influenced in his early years by hard-living and rebellious American singer Curt Wild.