Keep the Lights On (2012)

In the pulsating heart of late 90s New York City, the paths of Erik Rothman, a gay Danish documentary filmmaker, and Paul Lucy, a handsome, closeted corporate lawyer, intertwine in a tale of passion, addiction, and love. After severing ties with his former lover Paolo, Erik finds himself adrift on the sea of temporary connections, often made through a telephone gay cruising service. It is through these ephemeral encounters that he meets Paul, a man entangled in a heterosexual relationship, marking the beginning of an intense, tumultuous, and transformative journey. Their initial rendezvous, intended to be a one-off episode in the river of anonymous city life, evolves into a relationship riding the rollercoaster of passion and mistrust over the next decade. The electrifying highs are anchored in their sexual connection, while the crushing lows are manifestations of suspicion, Paul's frequent absences in body and spirit, and the looming question of Paul's escalating crack addiction, which becomes an unsettling backdrop to their intimacy. As the city around them shifts and changes, so too does their relationship, with each man waging a private war against his compulsions and addictions. Paul's judgment clouds further under the weight of his drug use, and Erik finds himself tempted by the allure of other men, both familiar figures from his past and unknown voices on the other end of the phone line. "Keep the Lights On" is a raw, candid exploration of love, friendship, and intimacy in an ever-changing world. It paints a stirring portrait of the complex and often messy nature of relationships in modern times, posing poignant questions about what it means to truly share a life with someone. Through the ebbs and flows of their relationship, Erik and Paul strive to keep their love alight amidst the darkness of their individual struggles, illuminating the harsh, beautiful reality of love in its purest and most painful forms.

Keep the Lights On is a drama movie featuring Thure Lindhardt and directed by Ira Sachs.

Keep the Lights On is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Freevee, Kanopy, Plex, Plex Player and Tubi TV and it's also available on Amazon Prime Video, Fandor Amazon Channel, Hoopla and OVID.

It is also possible to buy Keep the Lights On on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu and YouTube.