Love vs. Leverage: Anthony Bawn Explores Power and Desire in “Almost Us”
Acclaimed filmmaker Anthony Bawn returns with Almost Us, a sharp, desert-set romantic comedy debuting on Watch VIM. Starring Bawn alongside a charismatic cast, the film blends heat, humor, and social commentary against the backdrop of a rapidly changing Phoenix.
What begins as a fiery one-night stand between Darren, a closeted real estate developer, and Jason (Bawn), an openly queer community organizer, quickly spirals into a “rom-com pressure cooker.” The stakes turn personal when Darren’s luxury redevelopment project threatens the Baldwin Cultural Center, a vital sanctuary for the city’s marginalized communities.
The film explores the “moral gray space” where romantic attraction collides with political power and community survival.
Through the polished, strategic Darren, Bawn examines how privilege can become a prison.
The struggle to save the Baldwin Center serves as the film’s emotional heartbeat, highlighting the fight for belonging in a modern city.
“Queer stories aren’t just about identity,” says Bawn. “They’re about power, class, and how the past complicates the future.” By directing himself, Bawn captured an intimacy that feels “lived-in, not performed,” offering a story that moves beyond traditional coming-out narratives to confront legacy and responsibility.
Watch the premiere of Almost Us exclusively on Watch VIM.
