Some films make you laugh, some make you squirm, and a rare few do both. I Really Love My Husband is one of those deliciously uncomfortable yet undeniably relatable stories that peels back the layers of modern relationships. Written and directed by GG Hawkins, this queer vacation rom-com trades tropical bliss for emotional chaos, set against the vibrant backdrop of Bocas del Toro, Panamá. From the first scene, the film pulls you into a world that’s humid, messy, and full of heart.

Relationships today are complicated. Between chasing personal happiness and meeting everyone else’s expectations, it’s no wonder so many couples crash into emotional turbulence. Hawkins explores that collision with an unflinching lens, showing how love, lust, and longing twist together in unpredictable ways. I Really Love My Husband doesn’t ask viewers to pick sides—it invites them to see a bit of themselves in every mistake, every confession, every moment of desire.

This is not your typical honeymoon movie. Instead, it’s a queer-tinged exploration of what happens when “happily ever after” feels like a trap. The film captures that modern millennial sense of being both grateful and dissatisfied at the same time. With sharp writing, honest performances, and a setting as gorgeous as it is isolating, Hawkins turns paradise into a pressure cooker—and the results are captivating.

A Honeymoon That Heats Up in All the Wrong Ways

At the heart of I Really Love My Husband is Teresa, a woman on her tropical honeymoon who’s realizing her perfect husband might not be so perfect after all. Stripped of their everyday routines, Teresa and Drew’s newlywed glow starts to fade fast. Her frustration grows as his people-pleasing habits become unbearable, pushing her toward an unexpected connection with Paz, a free-spirited expat who manages their island rental.

Teresa’s curiosity evolves into obsession, and soon, she suggests a daring idea to rekindle her marriage. That decision sends all three characters—Teresa, Drew, and Paz—spiraling into emotional and sexual chaos. Their triangle burns with chemistry, confusion, and vulnerability, giving the film a raw, lived-in authenticity that few romantic comedies dare to touch.

The Director’s Vision and Voice

Writer-director GG Hawkins explains, “I Really Love My Husband is about the claustrophobia of a millennial relationship, and what happens when you do everything you’re supposed to do to be happy, but you’re still just not.” That idea drives every frame. Hawkins’ storytelling finds beauty in the awkwardness of self-discovery and the messy gray areas of human desire.

“When we meet our protagonist, Teresa, on her honeymoon in Bocas del Toro, Panamá, she’s reached the tipping point after a year of marriage,” Hawkins adds. “She finally gives herself permission to hunt for her own joy, even if it costs her everything she’s supposed to want.”
That permission comes with consequences—ones that reveal Teresa’s darker impulses. The film’s honesty about self-sabotage and sexual curiosity makes it both painfully funny and quietly radical.

Hawkins developed the role of Teresa specifically for Madison Lanesey, whose nuanced performance anchors the film. The director says, “Madison’s ability to embody complex, self-destructive characters brings depth and authenticity to the character, ensuring we can still care deeply for Teresa, despite her flaws.” It’s that humanity—those moments of recognition—that make the story unforgettable.

Quietly Queer, Boldly Human

While I Really Love My Husband may not wear a rainbow flag on its sleeve, queerness flows through it naturally. “I Really Love My Husband is a quietly queer film: Teresa, Drew, Paz, and Kiki, embrace many genders and sexual arrangements on their path to understanding, and, through this exploration, also open doors for others,” says Hawkins.

The film doesn’t dramatize queerness or treat it as spectacle—it accepts fluidity as a fact of life. The result is a deeply human story about longing and liberation that just happens to be queer. From steamy glances to awkward silences, Hawkins captures the universal ache of wanting something more, even when you can’t define what “more” means.

Making Magic on an Island in Panamá

The film’s stunning setting isn’t just eye candy—it’s a character in itself. Hawkins and producer Elle Roth-Brunet chose Bocas del Toro because of Hawkins’ personal connection to the islands. Her stepfather, the inspiration for Paz, built a life there decades ago. That history shaped the story’s emotional and visual texture.

“When I wrote this script, I knew I wanted to film it in Bocas del Toro, Panamá,” Hawkins explains. “Its unrelenting beauty and the slow pace of island time contrasts with Teresa and Drew’s neuroticism and emotional heaviness. The juxtaposition is dramatic and often comical.”

The production itself was a feat of indie creativity. With support from the Panamá Film Commission and local partners, Hawkins and her team shot on a small island with no roads, relying on the kindness and expertise of the community. “We knew logistics would be a challenge, so it was imperative that we hire Panamánians and local talent that knew the business and the island community,” says Roth-Brunet. “They brokered all our local deals, brought on local crew, and helped me get accustomed to shooting on the islands and navigating the complexities.”

A Queer Team Telling Real Stories

This production isn’t just inclusive on screen—it’s built on LGBTQ representation behind the camera too. “This project has been crafted around the authentic identities and distinctive personalities of our core cast and crew members,” Roth-Brunet explains. “Our principal actors embody the fluidity of their pansexuality, infusing their characters with depth, humor, and honesty.”

That commitment goes beyond visibility. “Our mission is to transcend the confines of traditional coming-out tales and narratives that often position these identities as ‘The Other.’ Instead, we aim to foster a space of understanding, empathy, and celebration,” she says. It’s a refreshing shift—one that allows queer filmmakers to tell universal stories that still carry their truth.

A Cast That Feels Real

Every character feels layered and lived in. Madison Lanesey makes Teresa complicated but compelling, while Travis Quentin Young gives Drew a sweetness that slowly curdles into insecurity. As Paz, Arta Gee radiates magnetism in their film debut, bringing both charm and depth to a character who blurs the line between temptation and salvation. Lisa Jacqueline Starrett, as Kiki, injects humor and humanity into every scene they touch.

Their chemistry creates sparks that light up the screen. You don’t just watch these people—you feel like you’ve been in their shoes, or maybe even in their bed.

Why This Film Deserves Your Attention

What makes I Really Love My Husband stand out isn’t its exotic location or its beautiful cast. It’s the way it captures the emotional contradictions of modern love. It’s about wanting freedom while clinging to security, about chasing happiness even when it hurts someone else.

For anyone who’s ever felt trapped in the life they were told to want, this film is both a mirror and a wake-up call. Hawkins has created something bold, funny, and deeply human—a reminder that sometimes, you have to lose yourself to find out who you really are.

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Tell Us What You Think

I Really Love My Husband is a story that leaves you thinking long after the credits roll. Have you ever questioned what happiness really means in a relationship? Share your thoughts, reactions, or experiences in the comments below.