William Friedkin’s “Cruising” can be streamed on Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and The Roku Channel, but only if you add a subscription to Cinemax. If you choose to watch the film on Amazon, you can receive a free 7-day trial to the premium cable network. If you currently have the pay cable channel as part of a TV package, simply search for the title and press play. Apart from those options, the film can be rented or purchased from Prime Video, YouTube, Google Play, Vudu, and Apple TV. The price range varies across the streamers, with the movie renting for $2.99 on YouTube, or you can purchase it in HD for $9.99.
“Cruising” is a controversial movie, and many LGBTQ+ viewers and critics have interpreted the film differently over the years. Before production even began in the summer of 1979, gay rights activist and Village Voice writer Arthur Bell organized and led protests against the movie due to its perceived victimization of gay men as those who seemingly enjoy violence and mayhem, which plays out in the actions of the murderer in “Cruising” and how he chooses his victims (via The Washington Post).
If you have just watched the newest “American Horror Story” season and are curious about some of the plot points and aesthetics of the era, this film is a good starting point to find out more.
