• Main
  • Film
  • Television
  • Theater
  • Best Of the Rest
  • Subscribe
  • About
Thursday, June 5, 2025
  • Login
  • Register
The Contending
No Result
View All Result
  • Main
  • Film
  • Television
  • Theater
  • Best Of the Rest
  • Subscribe
  • About
No Result
View All Result
The Contending
No Result
View All Result
Home Featured Story

Shorts: ‘Just Between Us’ Is a Frisky, Considerate Examination of Boundaries

Joey Moser by Joey Moser
June 3, 2025
in Featured Story, Film, Live Action Short, Shorts
0
Shorts: ‘Just Between Us’ Is a Frisky, Considerate Examination of Boundaries
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Are we fascinated by how other couples orient their sex lives, because it could, potentially, differ from our own arrangement? Why are we so obsessed with not only how the other half lives but how the other half fucks? Even if you know how another couple (or throuple, or…) arranges their marriage, the only people who know the specirfic goings-on are the ones sharing that agreed upon relationship. In Zac Hug’s charming, funny, and thoughtful new short film, Just Between Us, a couple looks inward towards their openness to secure its sexy center.

Ah, straight people at dinner parties. Somehow the subject of openness of a queer couple always gets tossed around (either at the center of conversation or said casually with side comments), but Sam and Dustin (co-writer Ben Baur and Matthew Bridges) have settled into a level of comfort with the mechanics of hooking up with others. This small get-together also welcomes a new face in Eddie Liu’s Brayden, a hairstylist who goes heavy on the flirtation. “He clearly wants to eat the two of you alive…” says another guest. Liu’s smile could probably get many people, gay or straight, to do things they wouldn’t normally do.

Once home, Sam is worried when he has to take time to think about when he and Dustin had sex without a third or guest star. It leads to a conversation where they both admit that they don’t want to change the extra play time, but they need to focus more on the consideration towards each other. Another film would assume that a lack of sex is because of playing with other people but Baur and Hug’s screenplay takes the mature, intelligent, and honest avenue of letting these two men speak to what they want. It’s not about shame towards playing with others, but how we can all get a little forgetful when it comes to being in a long-term relationship. Baur and Bridges have a sweet chemistry with one another, and their excitement to give physical space to each other is infectious. Who wouldn’t want more sex, right?

Just Between Us leans towards that familiar, likable comedy in moments like when Sam waits for his husband in a risqué new outfit when he doesn’t know who is going to show up at the door. When Sam surprises Dustin with sexy pool while plant-watching, who do they run into but the smiling, flirtatious Brayden. It’s a moment where people outside the relationship would show casual scorn and say, ‘I thought you were working on each other and not with others,’ when Sam and Dustin enter the encounter together. Hug hones in on the connection between this couple in ways that indicate a silent communication that comes with couples who have been together forever. Baur and Bridges’ eyes keep locking as they frolic and splash.

As the title suggests, we should not let the thoughts of our relationship dynamics permeate into how it functions. Boundaries can shift, change, or end, but Just Between Us’ dedication to that fluid communication feels groundbreaking in its visibility. We can make our own rules, and if you want to dive into a playful pool party, take the plunge.

Just Between Us will have its world premiere at the Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival on June 29. 

Spread the Word!

  • More
Tags: Ben BaurEddie LiuJust Between UsMark BridgesZac Hug
Joey Moser

Joey Moser

Joey is a co-founder of The Contending currently living in Columbus, OH. He is a proud member of GALECA and Critics Choice. Since he is short himself, Joey has a natural draw towards short film filmmaking. He is a Rotten Tomatoes approved critic, and he has also appeared in Xtra Magazine. If you would like to talk to Joey about cheese, corgis, or Julianne Moore, follow him on Twitter or Instagram.

Next Post
Meagan Good and Taye Diggs at the cops headquarters office

Meagan Good of 'Terry McMillan Presents Forever' Talks Reuniting with Taye Diggs for Tragic Love Story

Subscribe to Podcast

Apple PodcastsSpotifyAndroidby EmailRSS

Subscribe Now!

Subscribe here to The Contending's newsletter! We will never spam you. We promise!

Looking To Advertise?

Looking to advertise with The Contending? Email Clarence Moye for inquiries!

The Latest Stuff

Jennifer Lopez Lures You Into Her Web of Seduction in First Trailer for ‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’

Jennifer Lopez Lures You Into Her Web of Seduction in First Trailer for ‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’

June 5, 2025
We Could Go See BOOP! And Predict the Tony Awards! [PODCAST]

We Could Go See BOOP! And Predict the Tony Awards! [PODCAST]

June 5, 2025
Ari Graynor On Leslie Abramson Realizing How People Saw Her for ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’

Ari Graynor On Leslie Abramson Realizing How People Saw Her for ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’

June 5, 2025
Montclair Film Announces Emerging Screenwriters, Filmmakers Comp Winners

Montclair Film Announces Emerging Screenwriters, Filmmakers Comp Winners

June 5, 2025
‘Slow Horses’ Director Adam Randall Blends Multiple Genres For the Acclaimed Apple Series

‘Slow Horses’ Director Adam Randall Blends Multiple Genres For the Acclaimed Apple Series

June 5, 2025

Wise Words From Our Readers

  • Kevin on Tonys 2025: Predictions & Preferences, Don’t Let The Patti LuPone Controversy Detract From A Banner Year On Broadway
  • FJA on Tonys 2025: Predictions & Preferences, Don’t Let The Patti LuPone Controversy Detract From A Banner Year On Broadway
  • Kevin on Tonys 2025: Predictions & Preferences, Don’t Let The Patti LuPone Controversy Detract From A Banner Year On Broadway
  • Kevin on Tonys 2025: Predictions & Preferences, Don’t Let The Patti LuPone Controversy Detract From A Banner Year On Broadway
  • Glen Runciter on ‘The Studio,’ ‘Adolescence,’ & ‘The Pitt’ Take Top Honors at Second Annual Gotham TV Awards
The Contending

© 2025 The Contending

Find All the Things

  • Main
  • Film
  • Television
  • Theater
  • Best Of the Rest
  • Subscribe
  • About

Dreaded Social Media

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Main
  • Film
  • Television
  • Theater
  • Best Of the Rest
  • Subscribe
  • About

© 2025 The Contending

  • More Networks
Share via
Facebook
X (Twitter)
LinkedIn
Mix
Email
Print
Copy Link
Copy link
CopyCopied