Mika Kauffman

Michael Taylor Jackson's "Underground Orange" drops us into a world that feels both fantastical and viscerally real. We follow a Californian backpacker whose yearning for belonging leads them into an entangled polyamorous relationship with a cadre of young actors, all while plotting the audacious kidnapping of a US Ambassador to Argentina. On the surface, it's a high-stakes, off-kilter thriller/comedy. But for people like me who are navigating queer and polyam identities and relationships, "Underground Orange" transcends to deliver something far more profound: a startlingly powerful exploration of representation. From the outset, the film distinguishes itself not just by showing queer and polyamorous relationships, but by weaving them into the narrative's very fabric without resorting to tired tropes. The central polycule isn't a source of cheap drama or sensationalism; it's the foundational dynamic of this chosen family, a source of their strength, their vulnerability, and their shared purpose. Jackson wisely portrays their entanglement with a matter-of-fact intimacy that’s rarely afforded to polyam relationships on screen. We see the messy, beautiful reality of shared affection, conflict, and deep loyalty, allowing their relational structure to exist as a given, rather than a spectacle or a moral dilemma for the audience to judge. It's a HUGE breath of fresh air to witness consensual non-monogamy depicted with this level of emotional complexity and normalization, allowing the audience to focus on the characters' motivations and humanity and the STORY, rather than their relationship style/sexuality, etc. "Underground Orange" isn't just a thrilling comedic ride; it's a vital piece of new cinema that pushes the boundaries of mainstream representation. It offers a much-needed, nuanced glimpse into polyam relationships and the formation of chosen families. It reminds us that diverse forms of love and connection exist vibrantly, unapologetically, and can drive narratives with compelling, human-centered power. The short of it: I saw myself and my chosen family in this film, and it genuinely moved me. Everyone of every background needs to experience it, but especially queer and polyam people.