Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Queer!
Queer writer Justin Kuritzkes has shed some light on the movie’s centipede symbol, which has been a topic of much discussion among fans. According to Kuritzkes, the centipede’s inclusion in the film was important to director Luca Guadagnino, who drew inspiration from William S. Burroughs’ work, where the arthropod is a recurring motif.
Kuritzkes explained that while the centipede’s significance is open to interpretation, it’s a symbol of change in some parts of the LGBTQ+ community. However, he also pointed out a fascinating fact about centipedes: they rarely have exactly 100 legs, which could be a clue to understanding the symbol’s meaning in the movie.
In an interview, Kuritzkes stated, “I leave that up to the viewer, and as you’ve said, it’s an imagery that’s very present in Burrough’s work. It was certainly something that was really important to Luca as he was building the visual language of the movie, so I wouldn’t want to give a definitive explanation of what’s going on with the centipede.”
As the movie concludes, the centipede’s meaning becomes clearer. In a dream sequence, William has a vision of Eugene’s centipede necklace coming to life, only to crawl away, contrasted with a snake eating its own tail and crying, a representation of the ouroboros. This suggests that Eugene is free to move on, while William is trapped in the past, unable to let go of his relationship.
Kuritzkes’ explanation adds depth to the symbolism, revealing that the centipede represents evolution, with Eugene leaving their past behind, while William remains stuck. As a character based on William S. Burroughs, William’s fearful association with centipedes serves as a poignant contrast between the two main characters’ states of mind.
The use of symbolism in Queer has helped make it one of Luca Guadagnino’s best movies, connecting to the original work by William S. Burroughs.
