Movie review
September 12, 2024 · 114 min · R
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
Will Ferrell and his longtime SNL friend Harper Steele take a cross-country road trip after Steele comes out as a trans woman. The documentary follows their journey to process the transition and reintroduce Harper to America as her true self. The narrative centers on trans identity affirmation, allyship, and encounters with societal and political attitudes toward trans people.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Will & Harper.
Woke representation / casting
Trans woman is central co-lead with documentary focused on her transition and gender identity.
Woke political dialogue
Dialogue includes discussions of trans issues and criticism of anti-trans political positions.
Identity-driven story themes
Story is entirely built around trans woman's identity, coming out, and affirmation.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Frames conservative America and anti-trans politicians as hostile, promoting allyship against societal pressures.
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant
Production
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Conservative backlash labels the film transgender propaganda pushing LGBTQ allyship.
Creator track record context
Writer Harper Steele has pattern of trans advocacy including producing trans-themed documentary.
