While the semi-autobiographical film does touch on the usual subject matter-strained relationships, rejection, traumas-these are not its focal points. This three-month sentencing period-it takes that long to accumulate enough antibodies to test positive for the virus-is what gives the film its name. The film centers on Caleb, an openly gay Jewish teen living with his grandmother, over the three pivotal months after he is exposed to HIV. If Juno ‘s wit and charm emerged out of the harsh reality of teen pregnancy, Three Months’ clever tenderness reflects the solitary journey of self-discovery for queer teenagers growing up outside of LGBTQIA+ hubs. Instead, it’s about the private moments of strength and joy in the process of coming into one’s own. Unlike most queer coming-of-age films, Three Months, written and directed by Jared Frieder and starring Troye Sivan, is not about the struggles of being queer.
