15 Movies Where the Token Straight Friend Is the Comic Relief

The “Gay Best Friend” trope has existed in cinema for decades as a way to provide accessories or punchlines for straight protagonists. Filmmakers have recently begun to flip this dynamic by placing straight characters into queer narratives to serve as the fish out of water. These characters often highlight the absurdity of heteronormative expectations or simply act as the clueless outsider looking in. The following films successfully utilize a token straight character to generate humor and advance the story in unexpected ways.

‘Theater Camp’ (2023)

Troy arrives at an eccentric drama camp to save the business after his mother falls into a coma. He represents the ultimate straight outsider who knows absolutely nothing about musicals or theater culture. The comedy stems from his attempts to apply finance bro logic to a group of passionate and chaotic queer artists. His ignorance of basic stage terminology creates constant friction and hilarious misunderstandings with the campers and staff.

‘Bottoms’ (2023)

Marshawn Lynch plays Mr. G and serves as the clueless faculty advisor for a lesbian fight club. He spends most of his screen time reading erotic magazines and delivering non sequiturs that have nothing to do with the plot. His character offers a stoic and masculine contrast to the chaotic energy of the high school girls he is supposed to be supervising. The film uses his blatant disinterest and confusion to create some of its most memorable comedic moments.

‘Happiest Season’ (2020)

Jane acts as the eccentric middle sister who tries desperately to keep the peace within her uptight family. She is not the central focus of the queer romance but she steals every scene with her bizarre fantasy novels and lack of social awareness. Her character functions as a comedic buffer during the intense emotional conflicts between the main couple and the parents. Audiences often cite her whimsical behavior as the highlight of this holiday romantic comedy.

‘Scott Pilgrim vs. the World’ (2010)

Scott acts as the hapless straight roommate to the much cooler and more composed Wallace Wells. Wallace navigates his social life with ease while Scott fumbles through awkward encounters and battles for his love interest. The film reverses the typical dynamic by making the gay character the voice of reason and the straight character the chaotic mess. Scott relies heavily on Wallace for guidance and provides unintentional humor through his immaturity.

‘Chasing Amy’ (1997)

Banky Edwards serves as the loud and aggressive straight best friend who struggles with the changing dynamics of his friendship. His comic relief often comes from his over-the-top outbursts and his inability to understand the nuances of human sexuality. The story uses his character to expose the fragility of toxic masculinity when faced with queer relationships. He acts as a chaotic foil to the more introspective romantic leads.

‘Pride’ (2014)

A group of straight Welsh women embraces a visiting group of gay and lesbian activists with open arms and unexpected humor. These characters provide comedy through their blunt questions and enthusiastic attempts to bridge the cultural divide. The film finds heart and humor in their willingness to learn about a world they previously knew nothing about. Their interactions with the activists create a charming and funny exploration of solidarity.

‘To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar’ (1995)

Carol Ann is a suppressed housewife who finds her voice after meeting three drag queens stranded in her small town. She acts as the straight audience surrogate who is dazzled and confused by the glamour of her new friends. The humor comes from her transformation and her initial naivety regarding drag culture. Her journey allows the film to explore themes of liberation through a comedic straight lens.

‘Kinky Boots’ (2005)

Don starts as a closed-minded factory worker who antagonizes the new owner and his drag queen designer. The narrative transforms him into a source of comedy as he clumsily attempts to understand and accept the new direction of the business. His eventual participation in the fashion show serves as a humorous and triumphant payoff for his character arc. The film uses his rigid masculinity as a setup for jokes about tolerance and change.

‘The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’ (1994)

Bob acts as the open-minded mechanic who joins the drag queens on their journey across the Australian outback. His fascination with their lifestyle and his simple demeanor provide a grounding presence amidst the spectacle. The comedy arises from his earnest interactions with the performers and his protective nature over them. He represents the potential for acceptance in the most unlikely of places.

‘Connie and Carla’ (2004)

Jeff plays the estranged brother who enters a drag club and becomes confused by the disguised main characters. His awkward attempts to navigate the space and his growing attraction to one of the women create classic farce situations. The film utilizes his straightness to build tension and humor around the central identity deception. He serves as the primary comic foil to the elaborate ruse maintained by the protagonists.

‘Victor/Victoria’ (1982)

King Marchand is a gangster who finds himself questioning his own orientation after falling for a female impersonator. His tough exterior crumbles as he goes to ridiculous lengths to prove his suspicions about the performer’s gender. The movie uses his existential crisis and confusion as a primary source of physical and situational comedy. He represents the traditional macho archetype being dismantled by gender fluidity.

‘In & Out’ (1997)

Cameron Drake is a reporter who descends upon a small town to cover the outing of a high school teacher. His character provides cynical commentary and reacts with bewilderment to the escalating insanity of the situation. The film uses his outsider perspective to frame the media circus and the town’s exaggerated reactions. He serves as a straight comedic lens through which the audience views the unraveling events.

‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’ (2005)

Harry Lockhart is a petty thief who stumbles into a Hollywood murder mystery alongside a private investigator named Gay Perry. Harry narrates the story with a chaotic and unreliable voice while Perry acts as the competent professional. The humor stems from Harry acting as the damsel in distress who constantly needs saving by his gay counterpart. This dynamic subverts the traditional action movie tropes of the era.

‘The Birdcage’ (1996)

Senator Kevin Keeley acts as the ultimate straight man who becomes the victim of a chaotic dinner party. His rigid conservatism and need to avoid a scandal make him the perfect target for the film’s farcical deception. The comedy peaks as he unwittingly navigates a household filled with drag queens and flamboyant decor. His inability to perceive the reality of his surroundings drives the third act’s hilarity.

‘Some Like It Hot’ (1959)

Jerry adopts the persona of Daphne and finds himself surprisingly comfortable in the role compared to his partner. The humor comes from his straight perspective clashing with the female spaces he infiltrates to hide from mobsters. He becomes a comic relief character who embraces the absurdity of the situation rather than just suffering through it. The film famously ends with a line that dismisses his attempt to reassert his straight identity.

Tell us which other movies feature a hilarious straight character in a queer narrative in the comments.