Set in 2007, when YouTube was just stretching it’s legs and Porn was still behind a paywall, King Cobra follows young, aspiring porn actor Brent Corrigan (Garrett Clayton) and his rise to fame at the hands of a domineering porn producer Stephen – played by Christian Slater (AKA Mr. Robot) – a closeted gay entrepreneur who runs the porn empire Cobra Video from his suburban home. The pair’s relationship turns sour when Brent receives a generous offer to make a film with Joe (James Franco), a protein shake drinking zealot who runs a rival porn studio with his unstable lover (Keegan Allen). Stephen goes to great lengths to exercise his power and ownership over Brent, resulting in a dangerous battle between the two producers over the ‘rights’ to the hottest property in the gay porn industry. The film co-stars Alicia Silverstone and Molly Ringwald (of The Breakfast Club) who seems to be the only one concerned over the treatment of the young man as an item for sale with no regard for his well being.
Complete with neon pink titles, this left of centre indie drama setting is the sort of environment that Franco seems to enjoy the most as it’s where his best work is brought out. Following Slater’s performance in Amazon’s Mr. Robot it takes no stretch of the imagination to see him slipping comfortably and convincingly into this menacing role.
King Cobra, which uses the world of gay porn as a stage to showcase and satirise the corruption and greed of the capitalist times we live in, is the second time director Justin Kelly has worked with Franco. His first film I Am Michael (2015) stars Franco alongside Zachary Quinto who plays a gay activist and magazine founder who is ‘saved’ from his homosexuality after turning to God.
Pegged as ‘the Boogie Nights of gay porn’ by Indiewire, and one of the best films made about the industry, Justin Kelly’s tongue in cheek telling of a tragic true story looks to be one hell of a ride. King Cobra has received a limited release in the US and no word yet of it’s UK release. Watch the trailer below.
Christian Slater in King Cobra
Garrett Clayton in King Cobra
