In “Rent Free,” director Fernando Andrés delivers a heartfelt, slightly unpolished portrait of two Gen Z best friends navigating the emotional and economic chaos of early adulthood.
Rooted in the gentrified streets of Austin and the ever-distant dream of New York City, the film follows Ben (Jacob Roberts) and Jordan (David Treviño) as they embark on a year-long experiment to live rent free by couch-surfing with friends, family, and whomever will take them in. The task will be daunting, but they make a pact to get their plan to work at all costs.
This is mainly a story about friendship and all of its messy, frustrating ups and downs, all presented through an LGBTQ+ lens. Roberts crafts a surprisingly warm, casual, and lived-in depiction of bisexuality and queer male friendship, and there’s a refreshing frankness in how the film approaches sexuality in general. It’s also one of the few films that really nails the specific vibe of bisexual Gen Z culture, one that’s open, accepting, fluid, self-aware, a little chaotic, and deeply rooted in chosen family.
The performances, while not uniformly strong, at least feel sincere. Roberts brings a natural charisma to Ben, a character who’s both charming and selfish, while Treviño gives Jordan an emotional steadiness that grounds the film. Their chemistry is the emotional backbone of the story and even when the plot meanders (as it often does), it’s their dynamic that keeps the viewer engaged.
Narratively, the film is a bit uneven. Its episodic structure sometimes drags, and there are stretches where the pacing is painfully slow. Certain storylines are touched on but never fully explored, and the stakes remain fairly low throughout. But that looseness also lends the film a certain charm, making it feel real, like a slice of life rather than a tightly wound arc.
The film captures Austin with both affection and critique. Gentrification looms large, but isn’t treated didactically; instead, it’s filtered through the personal, through cramped guest rooms and awkward house guest encounters. There’s a scrappy, DIY energy to the film that suits its themes of instability and adaptability.
“Rent Free” is a refreshingly grounded, emotionally honest film that feels like it could only have been made now, by and for people trying to find their footing in a world that’s constantly shifting. It’s funny, tender, a little messy, just like the twentysomething queer experience it captures.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 