Set in 1920s England, the film follows Owen James (Fionn O'Shea), an aspiring novelist who was admitted to a medical facility that claims to "cure" homosexual tendencies through then-experimental procedures. As part of Owen's treatment, he is placed under the care of Nurse Dorothy (Erin Kellyman), with whom he shares prescribed daily teatime sessions meant to prepare him for a so-called "normal" heterosexual life.[3]
Through a series of flashbacks, Owen's backstory gradually unfolds, revealing a clandestine affair and the traumatic consequences of a risky, unproven practice that promised to suppress same-sex desire. In the present, the narrative focuses on Owen's growing bond with Dorothy, whose open-mindedness contrasts sharply with the hospital’s repressive ethos. Meanwhile, characters played by Robert Aramayo and Louis Hofmann factor into Owen's past—and potentially his future—as the facility's staff and patients wrestle with moral, psychological, and social pressures.[2]
Cast
Fionn O'Shea as Owen James, an aspiring novelist who is confined to a 1920s medical facility in an effort to "cure" his homosexual tendencies.
Erin Kellyman as Nurse Dorothy, Owen's assigned caretaker and daily "teatime date", tasked with preparing him for a supposedly "normal" heterosexual life.
Robert Aramayo as Philip, featured in flashbacks and present-day sequences that intertwine with Owen's story and the experimental treatment.
Louis Hofmann as Charles, another figure from Owen's past or present, tied to the larger mystery of the experimental "cure" and its chilling consequences.
Jodi Balfour in a supporting role, part of the ensemble surrounding Owen's experiences and the facility's repressive environment.
Lilies Not For Me had its world premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, where it garnered attention for its blend of romantic period drama and horror elements.[5]
Following its festival debut, the film was acquired by Gravitas Ventures for North American distribution. It was released on digital and VOD in April 2025.[4]
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