The Dare Project, written and directed by Adam Salky, is a powerful LGBTQ+ coming-of-age story told in two parts—first as a short film in 2005, and then as a unique sequel/reunion in 2018, filmed with the same actors 13 years later. Together, the two parts offer a striking emotional arc about queerness, identity, and unresolved tension between two boys on opposite sides of their sexual awakening.
The original short introduces us to Ben and Johnny, two high school boys engaging in a late-night sleepover dare. What starts as a game quickly turns into a moment of intimacy and confusion, especially for Ben, who clearly experiences more than just curiosity. Johnny, on the other hand, appears shaken and retreats emotionally, leaving the audience—and Ben—without answers. The short is quiet, tense, and naturalistic, capturing the awkward beauty and vulnerability of teenage desire.
Thirteen years later, The Dare Project continues in real-time. Adult Ben (still played by Adam Fleming) is openly gay and successful, while Johnny (Heath Daniels) is a bit lost, still hiding parts of himself. When they reunite unexpectedly, old wounds resurface. Their reunion is subtle but heavy with emotional weight. Ben seeks closure; Johnny seems trapped in unresolved guilt, fear, and maybe even lingering feelings. The sequel doesn’t force a dramatic resolution but rather presents a deeply human encounter: two men facing the impact of one night that changed everything.
What makes The Dare Project special is how it tackles internalized homophobia, the messiness of repressed attraction, and the emotional consequences of silence. It's not just about love—it’s about what happens when people can’t be honest with themselves.
While the second chapter gave us emotional closure, there’s room for one final act. In a speculative feature-length sequel—The Dare Project: Full Circle—Ben and Johnny could reconnect years later in their 40s, both having changed in unexpected ways.
Ben, now in a long-term relationship, is asked to give a lecture at his old high school, triggering memories of that night. Johnny, after a divorce and time in therapy, is finally out and living openly. A chance meeting brings them together again—not for closure, but for companionship.
This third installment could explore what queer friendship looks like after a romantic door has closed, and how two people shaped by a shared adolescent moment grow into forgiveness, self-acceptance, and emotional maturity. It wouldn’t need romance to be powerful—just honesty, kindness, and reflection.
The Dare Project stands out for its rare longitudinal storytelling—a queer story told by the same characters, portrayed by the same actors, over more than a decade. It feels authentic, lived-in, and quietly profound. By capturing the pain and beauty of growing up—and growing apart—it becomes a mirror for anyone who's ever questioned who they were, or who they might’ve been.
A third chapter could complete the emotional journey, showing that sometimes, the most powerful dares are the ones we finally accept within ourselves.
