User reviews

33 year old attractive black man wants to be an artist but winds up being a serial girl toy for successful women. After some soul searching, he finally starts producing art and begins getting noticed for his work instead of his looks.

The acting, direction, and scenery are all well above average. The story was just okay.

If the intent was to display how 'different' and 'out of touch' the art culture is with everyday people, then mission accomplished, I guess. Otherwise, that was just some bizarro story about the starving artists and the rich elite they have to satisfy to succeed.

I get the message that Hunter wanted to be true to himself and his art and he was going to stand on principle, and I thought that was about the only good part of the story. However, that was a long journey for a pretty common movie theme. I can't imagine a large segment of society relating to this movie. I'm sure the 'critics' will love the diversity and portrayal of culture, but that is their world. For most of us, it was just a P. T. Barnum spectacle that wore off after the first 20 minutes, IMO.

One last point, what the heck is with all the smoking? I thought we were past glamourizing cigarette smoking in the movies?

Characters ring false. My body was literally cringing listening to the dialogue. Beware of someone who both writes and directs and stars in their own movie. This proves why you shouldn't do this.

Horrendous. The blocking is nonsensical. The cinematography is below average. Lighting is decent, but the coverage is terrible! I can't believe I made it through the whole thing. True amateur work here on display, and I haven't even gotten to the story. The plot is pretentious and narcissistic and boring fueled by some awful acting by Ty and Olivia. He's so good in Even Stevens! Yet, clearly he needs a director guiding him because his "creative" performance is just bizarre in this film. The only reason I finished it was just to be sure it stayed garbage the entire way through.

First, the obvious - Ty Hodges is beatific and talented. Visually, this little film is stunning, with plenty of Burning Man/Instagram vibes to make it solidly a reflection of these Millenial/GenZ - social-media-obsessed times.

But what's special here is that this film manages to tell a story which POC - especially Black Men - aren't given the opportunity to tell. About an artist struggling with the concept of identity in a time where identity seems more like a commodity. About how Black art that isn't about "The Struggle" doesn't sell. I'm grateful we live in a time that stories like this one get to be told. Here's hoping for more like it.

Ty Hodges wrote, directed and starred in this himself. I haven't seen anything he has done before but I hope I see more after this. This movie is so honest and open. The story telling is amazing, layered and artful. It explores a lot of very relevant things; social class, sincerity in art, love and identity. It is not done in a "shove it in your face" or preachy way, instead it feels genuine. Like you're just watching someone's life. There are more artistic scenes exploring the character's state of mind that are done so well. All the characters are written pretty well, even those more in the background feel real. Projects like this need more mainstream recognition cause they are few and far between.

This was a beautiful film. Every frame is like a poem to Los Angeles and the talented, struggling bohemians that make it a wild and magical place.

The acting is pitch perfect and the characters are creatures you fall in love with.

I'm not going to explain anything about this film. If you live it, if you hate it, I think that says a lot about who you are. I'm not saying that it defines you negatively or positively, but it puts you into one of two camps. I know exactly which one I fall into. Loved every second of this film.

Wonderful and engaging cast. The story was very contemporary, and tackled highly personal and important topics of depictions of black men, in a manner that goes beyond how majority society pigeon holes them.

This film hits on visual, relational, and cultural levels.

Each character felt real, while also representing how disjointed identities and values might attract and repel each other within our current counter/cultural landscape. Themes of expression, success, anti-Blackness. Femininity, spirituality, and playfulness/responsibility coalesce in this film that insists on setting its own course.

The film feels equal parts sweet and tense, whimsical and serious, all while remaining realistic, fresh, and genuine.

I wish I could watch it for the first time over and over!

P. S. We live for trace lysette. Yes hunny.

This film is a real trip. It gives a lot of insight into gen z and the whole social media influencer / art world/ vibe. It's also so much about LA and also NYC. I loved it. I love the scenery and the acting was awesome. Ty is so talented. Olivia is actually hilarious and super cute. And Tracy Lysette is a legit G.

I loved how the movie showed different emotional aspects of a man that should be celebrated and showcased more often. The cinematography was amazing, and the story line was unique, relatable, and intrigued you to think about potential situations in your life or someone you know that could have unfolded in the same way. It's a beautiful journey of introspection and dealing with this thing we call life.

A unique story about a unique individual (Hunter) trying to forge his path into the Los Angeles art scene. The picture itself is art in how it appears visually on the screen and the chemistry between the actors. This move struck home in many different ways and I wish there were more films like this to watch.

This movie is not for everyone. You have to be in the mood, you have to be in the vibe to get it. You have to be at least a bit an artist, a weird one. At least a little bit.

To me, basically this movie is sort of "The Doors" (1991) meet "Downtown '81". A bit Basquiat-ish. There is a lot of both there. Except we see a black Jim Morrison and there is a happy end, so it ends well. But everything is there, plus a pinch of the "Hotline Miami" (2012) videogame soundtrack vibe.

Now as I think of, maybe there is a pinch of "Wild Style" (1982) as well. This self-discovery journey... Okay.

This movie is weird and very artistic. This movie gets you high without the need to do anything. Just sit and watch. It is a sort of a spiritual journey all along to re-discover your truth and your true self. Most defining quote is probably "how do you sell truth" with the answer being "by being true yourself". In this world of wannabees and fakers, go on a journey and find your own world with your own truth where you will meet your true self. The one that you hold back, the one to bring out and the one to help you go forward.

This is what movie is all about.

Great camera work, scenes, music, actor work, nothing bad about this movie. I rented it from Google Play, but after my rent period expire I actually plan to buy it. This is one I want to see again.

The movie is an absolute diamond and a very succesfull depection of reality and the harsh world we live in ....it shows how lucky we are if somebody comes into our life to show us how to stand on our own two feet and love ourselves first and foremost I absolutely recomment it.

Best movie I seen in a minute. Excellent cinematography and directing. Caught it on a whim after a friend suggested and glad i listened. Touches on many subjects.

This film touches on several different cultural issues. The struggling artist is only one aspect. Between the social media culture, racial profiling, and the unspoken biases about men and their sensitivity, it's a well-written film.

The writers, actors, director, and producers, of this film, allows you the space to think outside of societal norms and learn oneself to better connect with another.

A powerful film and I'm looking forward to other films by this team!

A very eloquent film. A contemporary slice of life for American youth. And a production tour de force! There's so much to enjoy about this film. I'll be waiting for Lost One's next release.

Venus as a Boy follows a struggling artist, but the film itself is an art piece. Everything from the videography to the music and performances - it's STUNNING. When the film ends it feels like you've just left another world. Hodges is brilliant. Highly recommend.

Ty Hunter presents a study in the mind of an artist that is on the journey of spiritual awakening. By placing himself in the middle of the frame, and yet creating an art film within an art film, he delves into both the 3D world of time and space and the journey to becoming one's authentic self while also creating a metaphor for shadow work: the journey of the unconscious, unspoken motivations, the dissolution of the ego and transformation into new life.

I thought I picked this movie "randomly" but in the third act it became clear this was not only an honest depiction of the process of spiritual awakening but also deeply resonate to my own soul journey in truly profound ways.

This is a piece of art that like most great works will only be discovered and truly appreciated by later generations. Those whose third eye is open or are looking for an example of spiritual awakening, this movie certainly depicts one path of the many. As the character Ruby says in minute 25, "...I'm just letting you know, if you need to get there, I've got the map."