‘Strange Way of Life’ on Netflix: Pedro Pascal and Ethan Hawke’s Gay Western Is Romantic AF

Consider this a public service announcement: There is a very romantic, very gay western starring Pedro Pascal and Ethan Hawke called Strange Way of Life now streaming on Netflix. You’re welcome!

This 30-minute short film from acclaimed Spanish film director Pedro Almodóvar originally premiered at the Cannes Film Festival last May and had a short theatrical release via Sony Pictures Classics in the U.S. in October. Those familiar with Almodóvar’s work (Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!, All About My Mother, Talk to Her) know he’s never one to shy away from explicit sex or disturbing imagery. So they may be surprised to find that Strange Way of Life is quite tame in comparison. It’s simply a sweet, tender, and romantic tale of forbidden love.

Set in the Wild West, Hawke and Pascal star as ex-lovers, Jake and Silva, who haven’t seen each other in 25 years. Jake (Hawke) is now the local sheriff, while Silva (Pascal) is the mysterious stranger who rides into town on horseback. The two pals kick back, have a few drinks, and then engage in a night of passionate love-making. You know, just bro stuff.

Well, we assume passionate love-making takes place—all we see is Hawke kissing Pascal’s neck from behind, before Almodóvar fades to black. You do get to see Pascal’s butt when the picture fades back in on the morning after, though! He’s rocking that Winnie the Pooh look.

Jake and Silva’s backstory comes pouring out in the morning light. They spent two blissful months together in Mexico as young men. Now, 25 years later, Silva has finally returned. He says he’s there to visit Jake, but Jake knows Silva is actually there to save his son. You see, Silva’s son is the No. 1 suspect in the murder of Jake’s sister-in-law. Jake is duty-bound, both as the Sheriff and as a family member, to hunt down Silva’s son and bring him to justice. Silva pleads with Jake to call off the search, but Jake refuses.

This all culminates in a spaghetti western-style Mexican stand-off between Jake, Silva, and Silva’s son. In order to ensure his son’s escape, Silva shoots Jake in the waist. But in a gesture of love, he tends to Jake’s wound. It’s a classic case of hurt/comfort, and frankly, I ate it up. Yeah, OK, he shot him, but he also nursed him back to health! That’s so romantic!

In the final scene of the short, Jake and Silva sit quietly together. Silva responds to a question Jake asked years ago, about what two men could do on a ranch together. The answer? “They can look after one another.”

Oof. That got me right in the heart.