Consequences

Consequences (2018) – A Brutal and Honest Coming-of-Age Story from Slovenia

Consequences (original title: Posledice) is a powerful Slovenian drama released in 2018, marking a significant milestone in the country’s cinema as its first LGBTQ-themed feature film. Directed and written by Darko Štante, the film is a raw and unflinching portrayal of toxic masculinity, identity crisis, and queer self-discovery within the oppressive environment of a youth correctional facility. Drawing from Štante’s own experiences working in a juvenile detention center, the film delivers an intensely personal yet universally resonant story.

At the center of the narrative is Andrej (played with remarkable emotional depth by Matej Zemljič), an 18-year-old boy sent to a juvenile detention center after a series of violent outbursts and petty crimes. Once inside, Andrej struggles to find his place among the aggressive, hyper-masculine inmates. He becomes drawn to Željko (Timon Šturbej), the charismatic and dominant leader of a group of boys who operate as a gang within the institution. What begins as admiration and an attempt to fit in soon turns into something more complicated, as Andrej’s suppressed desires begin to surface. His relationship with Željko becomes increasingly tense and layered, filled with betrayal, manipulation, unspoken attraction, and emotional vulnerability.

Watch Consequences online - BFI Player

Štante crafts an environment that is both physically and emotionally claustrophobic. The detention center feels cold, decaying, and inescapable, mirroring the internal struggles of the protagonist. The camera work is intimate and often handheld, adding a documentary-like realism to the film’s aesthetic. Long, quiet shots allow the audience to sit with Andrej’s discomfort, confusion, and growing desperation. The dialogue is minimal, but the silences are often more telling than words, revealing the power dynamics and emotional undercurrents between characters.

What sets Consequences apart from many other coming-of-age or prison dramas is its willingness to explore the intersection of queerness and violence in a deeply conservative and masculine setting. The film doesn’t offer easy answers or neat resolutions; instead, it focuses on the psychological cost of hiding one's true self in order to survive. Andrej is forced to constantly navigate between his fear of rejection and his longing for connection, leading to choices that are sometimes morally questionable, yet painfully human.

The performances, particularly from Zemljič and Šturbej, are exceptional. Zemljič portrays Andrej with a fragile intensity, shifting between hardened defiance and aching vulnerability. Šturbej’s Željko is equally compelling—a mixture of charm, cruelty, and conflicted masculinity. Their chemistry creates some of the film’s most powerful scenes, especially when the line between dominance and affection becomes dangerously blurred.

Consequences was met with critical acclaim upon its premiere, including a successful showing at the Toronto International Film Festival and multiple awards at the Slovenian Film Festival. Its bravery in tackling taboo topics in Slovenian culture has been praised as groundbreaking, and it stands as a landmark in Eastern European queer cinema.

Consequences | Posledice (2018) — JonnyB Reviews Gay Film & TV

In conclusion, Consequences is a haunting, intense, and emotionally complex film that challenges viewers to confront the real cost of repression, conformity, and violence. It is a stark reflection of how young people, especially those struggling with identity, are shaped—or shattered—by the systems around them. A necessary and unforgettable film, Consequences leaves a mark that lingers long after the credits roll.