Introduction
Luca Guadagnino’s Call Me By Your Name (2017) became an instant classic for its depiction of young love, sexual awakening, and self-discovery. Set against the idyllic Italian countryside, the movie tells the story of Elio (Timothée Chalamet), a 17-year-old who embarks on a passionate romance with Oliver (Armie Hammer), a graduate student assisting Elio’s father. Its themes of yearning, sensuality, and the complexity of emotions are delicately woven, leaving a profound impact on viewers.
If you’re looking for movies that evoke similar themes of love, youth, identity, and heartbreak, here’s a list of films that echo the tender, melancholic beauty of Call Me By Your Name.
1. Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
French director Céline Sciamma’s Portrait of a Lady on Fire is an exquisitely crafted film about the forbidden love between an artist, Marianne, and her subject, Héloïse, set in 18th-century France. Like Call Me By Your Name, this movie captures the intimacy between two people as their relationship blossoms in isolation, surrounded by nature’s beauty.
With its meticulous cinematography and the understated yet powerful performances from Noémie Merlant and Adèle Haenel, Portrait of a Lady on Fire resonates with viewers in its depiction of yearning and the poignancy of love that cannot last. It, too, shows how an ephemeral connection can leave a lasting imprint.
Similarities to Call Me By Your Name:
- Lush, picturesque settings that enhance the romance
- Exploration of forbidden love
- A slow-burn narrative that focuses on emotional intimacy
- The ache of unfulfilled love and longing
2. Blue is the Warmest Color (2013)
Abdellatif Kechiche’s Blue is the Warmest Color is an intense, intimate portrayal of young love between two women, Adèle and Emma. The film traces their relationship from its passionate beginning to its eventual unraveling. Like Elio and Oliver in Call Me By Your Name, the characters in Blue is the Warmest Color are engulfed by their emotional and physical connection, even though their relationship is destined to end.
The film’s raw, naturalistic approach—captured in lengthy, unfiltered scenes—makes it a powerful exploration of the dynamics of love and the challenges of growing apart.
Similarities to Call Me By Your Name:
- Coming-of-age romance with a focus on sexual identity
- A deeply emotional, character-driven narrative
- Exploration of heartbreak and personal growth
- Vivid portrayal of the physical and emotional intensity of young love
3. Moonlight (2016)
Barry Jenkins’ Moonlight tells the story of Chiron, a young Black man growing up in Miami as he grapples with his sexuality, identity, and the harsh realities of life. The film is divided into three acts, portraying Chiron’s journey from childhood to adulthood. At its heart, Moonlight is a tender meditation on love, identity, and longing, much like Call Me By Your Name.
While the setting and cultural backdrop are vastly different, the two films share themes of emotional intimacy, self-discovery, and the struggle to understand one’s own desires. Both movies are poignant in their portrayal of unspoken emotions, leaving a deep impact on the audience.
Similarities to Call Me By Your Name:
- Exploration of sexual identity and desire
- A focus on emotional vulnerability
- Cinematic beauty in its exploration of time and memory
- Themes of longing and love in challenging circumstances
4. A Single Man (2009)
Tom Ford’s A Single Man centers around George (Colin Firth), a grieving professor who has lost his long-term partner, Jim. The film takes place over a single day, as George contemplates the meaning of life and reflects on his past. Much like Elio’s profound sadness at the end of Call Me By Your Name, George’s character is steeped in melancholy and introspection as he comes to terms with his loss.
A Single Man captures the quiet sorrow of love and the passage of time, using a rich color palette and Ford’s meticulous direction to highlight the beauty in everyday moments.
Similarities to Call Me By Your Name:
- Themes of loss and reflection on past love
- Poetic cinematography that emphasizes beauty in small moments
- An emotional journey driven by memory and heartache
- The central character grapples with intense feelings of love and grief
5. Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain is a heartbreaking tale of forbidden love between two cowboys, Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal), whose relationship spans over decades. While the two men lead separate lives, their deep bond and undeniable connection linger over the years.
Like Call Me By Your Name, Brokeback Mountain explores the conflict between love and societal expectations. Both films focus on characters struggling with the complexities of their feelings and the pain of living a life that does not fully embrace their love. The films share a profound emotional core, leaving audiences with the lingering ache of love lost.
Similarities to Call Me By Your Name:
- Forbidden love in a time and place that doesn’t accept it
- A central relationship that spans over time, leaving lasting emotional scars
- The exploration of societal pressures on personal desires
- Intimate, emotional storytelling that leaves a deep emotional impact
6. Weekend (2011)
Andrew Haigh’s Weekend is a small, intimate film about a brief but intense romance between two men, Russell and Glen, over the course of a weekend in Nottingham. The film’s realism and raw portrayal of the characters’ emotional and physical connection give it a naturalistic feel, much like Call Me By Your Name.
Both films capture fleeting moments of intense emotion, making viewers reflect on how short-lived encounters can have a lasting impact on one’s life. The sense of impermanence and the characters’ need to reconcile their emotions in a limited time frame make Weekend a deeply resonant film.
Similarities to Call Me By Your Name:
- A brief, passionate romance that leaves a lasting emotional effect
- Realistic and naturalistic portrayal of love and intimacy
- Exploration of personal growth and self-acceptance
- A focus on deep emotional connections formed in a short time
7. God’s Own Country (2017)
Francis Lee’s God’s Own Country follows Johnny, a young farmer in Yorkshire who is emotionally and physically isolated from those around him. When Gheorghe, a Romanian migrant worker, arrives to help on the farm, the two men form a deep bond. Like Call Me By Your Name, this film delves into the transformative power of love and the way relationships can challenge and reshape individuals.
The rural setting, the slow evolution of the romance, and the characters’ vulnerability mirror the emotional depth seen in Call Me By Your Name. God’s Own Country is a stirring, intimate story of love and self-discovery.
Similarities to Call Me By Your Name:
- Rural setting that enhances the emotional journey
- A transformative relationship that leads to personal growth
- Focus on intimacy and vulnerability in a romantic relationship
- Exploration of isolation and emotional connection
Conclusion
Each of these films shares with Call Me By Your Name a deep exploration of love, desire, identity, and the complex emotions that come with these experiences. Whether it’s the heartache of unfulfilled love, the beauty of fleeting moments, or the journey of self-discovery, these movies resonate with the same emotional intensity that made Call Me By Your Name so memorable. From hidden desires to tender romance, these films offer a rich tapestry of human experience, leaving viewers with much to ponder long after the credits roll.
