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A review by callum_mclaughlin
Anything Resembling Love by S. Qiouyi Lu
4.0
The concept of this short is so striking; its magical realism elements serving as powerful allegory concerning body autonomy, sexuality, and trauma. In this world, any kind of physical contact that incites pain, stress or discomfort can cause insects to erupt from beneath your skin. Despite it being a completely normal occurrence, it often triggers shame and revulsion, with Lu commenting on the way society conditions people (particularly girls) to fear and detest their own bodies’ natural functions, and to force themselves to placate the desires of men.
I won’t say anything about the plot itself, since it’s so short, but I thought the body horror was used to explore the story’s themes with due sensitivity, being suitably distressing without tipping into gratuity.
In addition to an Asian-American protagonist, there’s also some great, normalised representation of a non-binary, ace character which I thought was handled really well, with Lu using our heroine’s relationship with her roommate to look at the importance of friendship and solidarity. Yet more reasons to check this one out!
I won’t say anything about the plot itself, since it’s so short, but I thought the body horror was used to explore the story’s themes with due sensitivity, being suitably distressing without tipping into gratuity.
In addition to an Asian-American protagonist, there’s also some great, normalised representation of a non-binary, ace character which I thought was handled really well, with Lu using our heroine’s relationship with her roommate to look at the importance of friendship and solidarity. Yet more reasons to check this one out!