When we first meetGabriel(Tilda Swinton ) inConstantine , it ’s not the sort of introduction you expect for an Angelica Archangelica . Constantine ( Keanu Reeves ) approaches carefully , like he know better , but he ’s going to do so anyway . It ’s uncomfortable to watch becauseConstantineis uncomfortable . Gabriel is an holy man ofGod . He kill demon by invoking the name of the Lord . It ’s a moment .
Gabriel is in a pinstripe suit , facing the fire . Constantine the Great approach and dismal annex look , flaring outwards . Constantine averts his eye , almost reverent ; this is , after all , the animate being entitle the strength of God . The exhibit is imply to imprint and frighten . ( “ Be not afraid , ” gripe , what if I am ? Mark me down as frightened and horny . ) Gabriel turns , and they ’re wearing a big sleeper , a classical blue button down , sporting an asymmetrical , androgynous haircut and without any kind of beauty makeup on . All my life , I had imagined Gabriel as a man ( even in the Hellblazer comics , he presented as a humanity ) , and here was a very different interpretation of the archangel .
When I tell you I was changed , I mean it . This film came out in 2005 , and for 15 - year - old Linda , who was weird , queer , made to go to Christian church and study the Bible as a child , who grew up in the South and lie with chronicle , the idea that Gabriel could be something … else ? Not a gentleman’s gentleman , not a woman , but a third unknown , different thing ? unbelievable . I was ghost with this cinema immediately , and catch by Tilda Swinton as Gabriel for the intact rest of the motion picture , and when I say you I will broker no negative criticism for this film I signify it . Just for Gabriel , this film is perfect .
Screenshot: Warner Bros.
It ’s not an overstatement to say that Tilda Swinton has made a serial of pointed career pick centered around force out sex as an inconsequent side - effect of mortality rate . Besides Gabriel in Constantine , Swinton was also the titulary Orlando in the covert adjustment of the gender - fuckery / epicene fourth dimension - travel love affair novel of the same name by Virginia Woolf . Orlando , for those unfamiliar , is a story of a poet who changes gender and lives for centuries , interact with famous literary figures . They also romantically pursue ( and are engage ) by both world and women , including the Archduchess / Duke Harriet / Harry . Throughout the novel Orlando meets an array of grammatical gender non - conforming people , and the Holy Writ is largely considered a groundbreaking piece of romantic queer literature . ( I ’d also indicate that Swinton ’s vampire character in Only Lovers Left Alive also plays with gender , but that ’s a blog for another time , I think . )
It ’s not just Gabriel that fill this third - thing outer space , but it ’s also that the whole film is obsessed with crossing boundaries , gainsay self-confidence , and destroying binary program ( remember what Consantine order about cats ? “ Half - in , one-half out anyway ” ) . There is no prescript or piece of lore put down out for us that is not broken at some point over the course of the picture . This is dramatically revealed in the final third act of the movie when it turns out that Gabriel themselves is undertake to expel the anti - Christ , the spawn of Satan , on the earth . Lucifer , not so incisive on the estimate , preserve Constantine ’s life in a fit of jealous rage , and Gabriel is defeated , emerging out of the puddle with their flank discerp viciously off . Whatever they are now , it is not holy .
When Gabriel appears towards the end of the pic , it ’s in an turnout that is exceptionally queer and camp — an all - ashen number that punctuate a more masculine contour . They ’re acting as an independent agent of chaos . They are defeating the binary program of good and evil in fiat to produce a unexampled matter that is both worse and better . Gabriel , servant of God , disciple of heaven , the holy messenger , is moving toward a purpose of their own creative activity ; they are creating a young meaning for their life , one that destroys our arithmetic mean for whatever Gabriel , backer of the Lord , is supposed to be . Even at the close of the picture , Gabriel is about choice — they tell Constantine that he can be the helping hand of God if he choses to be — that he ’s always had a choice . In a way , Gabriel is also talking about themselves . They have always , no matter what , made their own selection . God ’s plans be damned . Literally .
The fact is that Gabriel did n’t just fuck with sex , they make out with everything . That ’s the best part of their character : that Gabriel is not defined by simply crossing gender boundaries determined by a casting pick , but that Gabriel is defined in the moving-picture show as crossing every boundary . This is what I was really drawn to as a kid — this fiber who was able to clearly stop costless from all first moment , from casting to execution to tale , who was able to choose , every fourth dimension , to be a third , dissimilar thing , to say make love it all , and then , despite that , they are still given space to define themselves , to transfer their account , and to own all of their determination , respectable , sorry , and whatever else .
require more io9 news ? Check out when to have a bun in the oven the latestMarvelandStar Warsreleases , what ’s next for theDC Universe on film and TV , and everything you need to know aboutHouse of the DragonandLord of the Rings : The Rings of Power .
DC UniverseFilmsGabrielTilda Swinton
Daily Newsletter
Get the good technical school , science , and acculturation tidings in your inbox daily .
news show from the futurity , delivered to your present .
Please choose your desired newssheet and submit your email to upgrade your inbox .
You May Also Like
