FEATURE THREE’S COMPANY BY JAMIE BOOTH
Throuple is a fresh and funny new comedy about a lonely gay man who unexpectedly falls for both members of a married couple and is thrusted into an unconventional three-way relationship. As he navigates the complexities of this new dynamic, he’s forced to confront what he truly wants—and needs—from love. Loosely inspired by Michael Doshier’s own experiences, the film is a heartfelt exploration of chosen family, nontraditional relationships, and the unexpected paths desire can take. “One thing I’m really proud of with Throuple is that it celebrates the beauty of being queer,” Doshier says. “It shows that queer people are valuable, vibrant members of society. There’s no antagonist in Throuple—it’s a man-versus-self story. All the queer characters are just doing their best to live full, authentic lives and treat each other with care.” Michael Doshier explains more about his new film from his home in Los Angeles. You wrote and star in Throuple. What inspired you to bring this story to life—both on the page and on screen? Michael Doshier: I’ve never been in a romantic throuple before. Many of my friends have tried it, however, and I certainly would be open to it! I’m very inspired by the people in my life that are
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open to making their relationships work by thinking outside the box as to what coupling means and looks like. I think that’s the energy that I brought to the script, and I definitely sought the advice and insight from friends who were in open relationships. I think the script is unafraid to imagine new realities and structures for what works for people. That’s what I would say is one of the takeaways from Throuple—you can make your life work for you. How did you prepare for both your roles as the screenwriter and as the lead character? MD: I took Natalie Portman’s Masterclass on acting. She taught me a few skills, but ultimately, I’m playing a version of myself in the film, so I just tried to be present with my scene partners and answer honestly to what was happening in the scene. There’s a lot of great improv in Throuple. The actors in the film are all professional. I relied on them to give each scene some gravitas. Filmed and set in New York City, Throuple joins a legacy of influential LGBTQ+ cinema based in the city—films like Trick, Jeffrey, Cruising, and Dog Day Afternoon. Michael Doshier: New York and its indie cinema, music and art scenes have been my main community and source of inspiration since