Chasing Amy (1997)
12-month trend
12-month trend
Monthly article views
2025-09 to 2026-08
A comic book artist falls in love with a lesbian, leading to a complicated web of friendship, sexuality, and personal growth.
The story
While promoting their comic Bluntman and Chronic at a convention in Manhattan, comic book artists and lifelong best friends Holden McNeil and Banky Edwards meet Alyssa Jones. Holden is immediately attracted to Alyssa, but soon discovers she is a lesbian. Despite the friction this causes with the homophobic Banky, who feels Holden is abandoning their business partnership, the two bond over their shared upbringing in New Jersey. Holden eventually confesses his love to Alyssa, and they begin a romantic relationship, creating significant tension with Banky and threatening their professional and personal ties.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Holden McNeil and Banky Edwards are best friends and comic book artists in New York City. After meeting Alyssa Jones, Holden falls in love with her despite her being a lesbian. This causes a rift with Banky, who is homophobic and feels Holden is neglecting their business, Bluntman and Chronic. After Holden and Alyssa begin dating, Banky discovers they are sleeping on his couch. The situation becomes further complicated when Banky learns of Alyssa's past sexual experiences, specifically a ménage à trois, which deeply disturbs Holden. Inspired by a story from a man named Bob who lost his girlfriend Amy over her past, Holden proposes a threesome to involve Banky and heal their fractured bond. Banky agrees, but Alyssa declines, fearing it would negatively impact their dynamic and wanting a monogamous relationship. She ends things with Holden. One year later, Banky has taken over the rights to their comic. At a convention, Holden gives Alyssa a new comic based on their failed relationship. Alyssa feigns indifference, dismissing him as 'just some guy I knew.'
- First release year
- 1997
- Runtime (minutes)
- 113
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Kevin Smith
- Writers
- Kevin Smith · writer; Kevin Smith · director
- Cast and characters
- Ben Affleck · Holden McNeil; Joey Lauren Adams · Alyssa Jones; Jason Lee · Banky Edwards; Dwight Ewell · Hooper; Jason Mewes · Jay; Jason Mewes · Silent Bob
- Genres
- romantic comedy-drama; comedy-drama; sex comedy-drama; buddy comedy-drama
- Themes
- sexual fluidity; bromance; homophobia; friendship; sexual identity
- Tone and mood
- raunchy humor; sensitive; raw honesty; bittersweet
- Premise and plot tags
- buddy comedy; romantic comedy; LGBTQ-related; comic book theme
- Source material / true-story basis
- Inspired by a brief scene from an early film by a friend of Smith's and the experiences of his brother and girlfriend.
- Franchise connections
- View Askewniverse
- Content notes
- lesbian-related; gay-related
- Reception
- The film received mostly positive reviews, praised for its humor, performances, and direction, and was a significant financial success relative to its small budget.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 87% · review count: 87 critics
- Awards and nominations
- Best Screenplay · Independent Spirit Awards · 1998 · Win; Best Supporting Actor · Independent Spirit Awards · 1998 · Win
- Production trivia
- The characters appear in later Askewniverse films as cameos.; The film was shot at the since-closed Meow Mix in downtown Manhattan.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
Your lists
Loading your lists…