If you’re like me and are just hearing about Lesbian Space Princess (LSP), let me catch you up: it’s a rom-com, space opera musical with original songs—sung by sad girls with guitars. The story kick-offs with a super squishy, ultra-sweet, and sentimental first love, that whirlwinds into sex jokes, spirals into gaslighting, and eventually leads to a messy (truly ugly) breakup.
Poor Princess Saira (Shabana Azeez). She doesn’t even get to keep the jumpers/sweaters that her ex-girlfriend Kiki (Bernie Van Tie) gave her. And they’re the good graphic kind. They probably smell like love and delusions. No post-breakup wallowing in the tantalizing scent of bad romance for her. Cue the “really, really, really sad” song.
Now Princess Saira has to face the crushing disappointment of her moms—the celebrated Queens of Clitopolis, Anne and Leanne (Jordan Raskopolous, Madeleine Sami). All while dealing with her ex, Kiki the Destroyer, a bounty hunter whose ego isn’t quite the size of the galaxy—just a planet or two. The breakup feels like your classic romantic drama… until the villainous Straight White Maliens (played by the comedy trio, Aunty Donna) get involved and kidnap Kiki. Likely because Kiki’s legs are hairier than theirs—these legs would make Bon Clay from One Piece jealous. Honestly, hirsute lesbians are giving basic maliens fits all across the galaxy (probably).
Princess Saira is thrust into action—I’m sorry for that pun. Within 24-hours she must call forth the ancient power of her Royal Labrys—a double-headed axe that symbolizes her big feminine woo-woo. Only then can she save her former lover-girl and maybe make her moms proud. The catch? Saira “literally never goes anywhere.” Her personal demon AKA her “Head Monster” is self-doubt personified. But hey, isn’t that what quests are for? To find out the only thing holding you back is you?
Created by South Australian writers/directors, Leela Varghese and Emma Hough Hobbs, Lesbian Space Princess is an absurdist sexcapade with a satirical lens focused on queer love, and overflowing with all the in-jokes, stereotypes, and societal challenges that come with it. It’s clever, highly entertaining, and, girl—so nasty. The quirky, cute animation is reminiscent of the best days of late-night Cartoon Network. Imagine Adventure Time x One Piece but naughtier and more naked—also less rubbery and more sticky. Others might say Futurama. Got it? Now add cobalt blue outlines and a palette I’m calling “Lisa Frank Dreams of Ice Cream” (so pretty, so vivid).
LSP tells the story of a Passenger Princess on a mission to break out of her pretty pink bubble and become the pilot of her own ship. Unfortunately, all of her ships—relationships, mentorships, and spaceships—are problems. Even worse, Problematic Ship (Richard Roxburgh) is the name of her misogynistic talking spacecraft, who believes girls belong in the back seat. Along the way, Saira meets more new friends, like the abso-adorable Willow (Gemma Chua Tran), who you may recognize as the previously mentioned sad girl with guitar. Alongside these two, Saira faces challenges that push her far beyond her comfort zone, repeatedly. And that’s a good thing. Cue the “ode to Saira” (title unknown) a song similar to other soundtrack faves like “Once” and “Shallows”—hopeful, sentimental, sad.
So, buckle up, buttercup, and take off with this bedtime story for the grown-ups—the ones who, to paraphrase Jessie Reyez, “dodge d!cks on the daily.” And in case you’re wondering, the d!cks are figurative. If you’re a fully grown adult with an adult-sized brain, I recommend doing LSP. I’m not saying you should go laugh at lesbians, but honestly, joy is the point of Lesbian Space Princess. Except you’re not laughing at it—you’re laughing with it. After all, the Saira’s motto is “live, laugh, lesbian.” Whether you’re queer, an ally, or just like to giggle, the laughter is what brings us all together (in whatever position you prefer). This one is straddling the gay-laxy and popping bubbles.
Lesbian Space Princess screened at the 2025 Berlinale film festival on Feb 18
