Pedro Pascal took on a groundbreaking role as a queer cowboy in the 2023 short Western film Strange Way of Life, directed by Pedro Almodóvar. The 31-minute film, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, positions itself as Almodóvar’s artistic response to the 2005 movie Brokeback Mountain, exploring love and identity in the American West through a fresh lens.
Pedro Pascal’s Portrayal of Silva in Strange Way of Life
In Strange Way of Life, Pedro Pascal embodies Silva, a charismatic and complex cowboy who returns to his small desert town after years of absence. The story revolves around Silva’s reunion with Jake, a local sheriff portrayed by Ethan Hawke. As the two navigate an investigation involving a crime that shakes their community, the tensions of their shared past romance bubble to the surface, revealing unresolved feelings and conflicting desires.
The film uses this intense reunion to explore themes of passion, memory, and identity, with Silva’s character serving as a vivid expression of queerness within a traditionally rugged and masculine Western setting. Pascal’s performance captures the vulnerability and defiance of Silva, injecting new life into the genre while challenging its norms.
Strange Way of Life received a warm critical reception, achieving a 78% score on Rotten Tomatoes, though audience responses were mixed, averaging 54%. Its brief runtime and focused storytelling underline the deliberate choice to tell a poignant, layered story within a compact format.
Pascal’s Perspective on Taking the Role
Pedro Pascal was already a prominent figure in Hollywood by 2023, largely due to his acclaimed work on popular television series such as The Mandalorian and The Last of Us. Despite his rising status, accepting the role of Silva represented a distinctive opportunity for him to expand his artistic horizons and engage with a provocative, nuanced character.
Pascal expressed enthusiasm upon being offered the role by Almodóvar, recalling a personal connection to the filmmaker’s earlier work, including his family’s viewing of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown in 1988. This connection helped fuel Pascal’s excitement for joining the project.
“I remember it feeling like going to a new amusement park. An entire world of color and play and a kind of naughty rebelión was introduced to my experience.”
—Pedro Pascal, actor
This metaphor reveals the fresh and liberating energy Pascal found in the role, highlighting how stepping into Silva’s shoes allowed him to explore uncharted emotional territory with boldness and curiosity. He viewed the experience as part of a broader artistic journey, embracing the provocations of Almodóvar’s storytelling.
Director Pedro Almodóvar also praised the performances of Pascal and Hawke, describing them as outstanding and ideally suited to their characters during an interview with EL PAÍS. His endorsement further underscores the film’s ambitious casting choices and the actors’ ability to bring depth to this unconventional Western romance.
Almodóvar’s Artistic Response to Brokeback Mountain
Pedro Almodóvar’s Strange Way of Life carries deeper significance beyond its narrative, as it serves as a deliberate reply to the 2005 film Brokeback Mountain. Two decades earlier, Almodóvar was offered the chance to direct Brokeback Mountain but declined, and now he revisits similar themes with his distinct cinematic voice and perspective.
In an IndieWire interview at Cannes, Almodóvar remarked on the connection between his film and Brokeback Mountain:
“It could be, like, my answer to Brokeback Mountain.”
—Pedro Almodóvar, director
He further elaborated in a conversation with The New York Times by addressing a notable exchange from Brokeback Mountain, where Jake Gyllenhaal’s character questions Heath Ledger’s character about the practicality of two men working together on a ranch:
“In ‘Brokeback Mountain,’ Jake Gyllenhaal’s character says to Heath Ledger’s character that they should go away and work on a ranch. Heath says, ‘What would two men do in the West, working on a ranch?’ In many ways, I feel my film gives an answer to that.”
—Pedro Almodóvar, director
Strange Way of Life directly addresses this question through Silva’s line to Sheriff Jake:
“Years ago, you asked me what two men could do living together on a ranch. I’ll answer you now.”
—Silva (Pedro Pascal), Strange Way of Life
This exchange emphasizes the film’s intention to redefine and expand upon the queer narrative within the Western genre, challenging traditional boundaries and stereotypes.
Significance and Availability of Strange Way of Life
Strange Way of Life represents a significant moment in contemporary cinema, where established Hollywood stars like Pedro Pascal undertake daring roles that subvert genre expectations and explore queer identities with sincerity and depth. The collaboration with acclaimed Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar adds further artistic weight and global resonance to the film, positioning it as a meaningful cultural artifact in ongoing conversations about representation.
For audiences interested in experiencing this bold reinterpretation of the Western, Strange Way of Life is currently available to stream on Prime Video, allowing wider access beyond its festival debut. Its impact is likely to persist as it sparks discussions about diversity, genre innovation, and the evolving landscape of queer storytelling in mainstream media.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Can Pedro Pascal have kids?
A. He is not married, has no children, and doesn’t plan on having any. Despite this, he often acts as a surrogate father in his roles. Fans enjoy this so much that they’ve created an online persona for him. Pascal knows about this and goes along with the idea.
Q. Does Pedro Pascal support LGBTQ?
A. Pedro Pascal used Instagram to show his support for young people in the LGBTQ+ community.
Q. Why is Pedro Pascal a babygirl?
A. In its new use, the term “babygirl” refers to a man who shows a gentle and open side.
When applied to well-known people like Mescal and Pascal, it often suggests they are charming. However, the term also hints at a bit of innocence.
