(Photo Credits: Screengrab from WatchVIM’s Official YouTube Account)
At first glance, Almost Us (2026) feels like the predictable romantic trope, the classic one-night stand that developed into something more. But what director Anthony Bawn delivered is far more complex: a story about sexuality, power, and the complicated spaces between love and self-acceptance. Bawn—who co-wrote the screenplay with Ben-Ra Wright—stars as the passionate organizer Jay Cooper, leading a cast that brings significant emotional depth to this story centered on gay life. He is joined by Adri Kennedy as Darren Bennett, a developer navigating life in the closet, and Isaiah Ware as Marcus. Their performances are bolstered by a strong supporting ensemble, including Shannon D. Woods and Adrianna Licitra, who further reinforce the film’s core themes of friendship, loyalty, and identity.
The film runs at a tight 1 hour and 20 minutes, blending romance and comedy into a story that feels both intimate and socially grounded.
At the center of the film is a charged encounter: a passionate one-night stand between a carefree community organizer and a closeted real estate developer. What begins as attraction quickly evolves into something more complicated when their personal lives collide with a larger conflict over a Phoenix cultural center. It turned into a clash of values. One man fights to preserve a community legacy, while the other is tied to forces threatening to erase it. The place is more than just property—it represents community, history, and identity—raising the stakes and forcing both men to confront who they are, both privately and publicly. That tension drives the narrative forward, forcing both characters to confront who they are, and who they’re willing to become.
Almost Us was released on April 17, 2026, with streaming availability on the WatchVIM platform. The film is still rolling out across platforms. According to JustWatch, a wider streaming release has not yet been fully announced, though updates are expected.
Happy viewing!
I’ll pass
The more I watched the trailer, the more I became convinced It was not a movie I would watch. Too many stereotypical characters.
Bring it to NETFLIX, I’ll def watch!!
I’d watch it on Netflix if it was on there.
OMG… it’s looks like one of those horrible Tyler Perry movies. Nooooo thanks.
I agree that the film doesn’t look that interesting (after watching the trailer), but like all of these types of movies now, it provides work/experience for actors, writers, and directors, and all of the technical crew. I just wish most of it was much better.