Lesbian Space Princess (Varghese & Hobbs, 2025)
What would happen if you grew up on a planet comprised explicitly of just lesbians? Outside the planet, the rest of the universe follow the ridiculous and dramatized ideas of society, and your mothers were the queens of your home world? It becomes almost as if lesbians and queers are given the chance to make fun, and not be the ones being made fun of. Getting to take the stereotyping and spin it on its head. That would be a world to live in, would it not?
Well, put three words together — lesbian, space, and princess — and you get this most magical, creative, and gay world. Lesbian Space Princess is truly genius. In simple enough ways, our protagonist here is a lesbian. Who is surprised? No one. She lives in space, on the planet Clitopolis. And guess what? She is a princess. A main character, in a fun and TV show reminiscent world who is full out and open in her sexuality. There is truly nothing else we could want for genuine queer representation. What makes Lesbian Space Princess even better is the addition of that all too real element of anxiety and mental health, giving some extra elements and subplot to the story.
Reigning from the planet Clitopolis, princess Saira (Shabana Azeez) is not having the best of weeks. After a mere fourteen day relationship, long if you put in the context of sapphics, her impossibly cool bounty hunter girlfriend Kiki (Bernie Van Tiel) dumps her. Her reasoning being that Saira is all too overbearing. When things could not have gone worse, amidst a breakdown, Saira finds out Kiki has gotten kidnapped.
Leave it to the lesbians to not be able to move on from their ex. Writer-director duo Leela Varghese and Emma Hough Hobbs knew entirely what they were doing when diving into their plot. In true lesbian fashion, Saira has yet to leave Kiki in the past. To attempt to get her love back, Saira braves the outside world to be the hero she believes Kiki needs. Lesbian Space Princessfollows Saira as she leaves the comfort of her home planet and heads out into the unknown to save her ex-girlfriend from the straight white male-iens.
No matter where they go with it, Varghese and Hobbs take the stereotypes and have fun with them. Literally creating characters and beings that fit each and every one. The villains being exactly what you would hope for a lesbian. Straight, white, male, and as we are in space, aliens. When they explain what they are, as a viewer, you cannot help but laugh. That is what is so enjoyable about the film, there are so many moments that allow queer and especially lesbian viewers to laugh. Enjoying the irony of it all, the creativity in the film is high.
Lesbian Space Princess might come across differently depending on the individual viewer, but as a whole, I thoroughly believe it is made for the young, queer, female, or non-binary individual. Saira is relatable for many of us, but especially to those who struggled with their first relationship, or with their mental health too. As the princess of planet Clitopolis, she was secluded and lonely. Unable to properly experience the world, it becomes quite clear that this hindered her in life. Difficult to socialize and make friends, Saira’s anxiety is high and her levels of stress in what she must do during the events of the film only make sense.
It is such a whacky turn of events, but even with the ridiculousness of it all you are pulled in for the ride. And that is entirely the point. Combine Saira being free wielded, the humour surrounding stereotypes, and the pure connection you are allowed to feel between yourself and any of the individuals represented, Lesbian Space Princess has something for everyone.
While yes as a young lesbian in her twenties, I am able to relate to Saira much more than the straight viewer, I still believe in the representation and its purpose. Varghese and Hobbs created something pure and light-hearted in their animated queer film. There are plenty of chances for something to go wrong, or a joke not to land, but even if one may take offence in what is being said, the irony that each laugh brings is greater than any grievance you could find yourself having.
Finally released in the UK on Friday 19 June, 2026, Lesbian Space Princess has been charming audiences around the world. As it slowly seeps its way to your country, big screen or small, do yourself the favour and watch it. Bring a friend, family member, or even just watch it alone and enjoy the love and laughs Saira and the lesbians bring to the table.
