By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3 cats
Director: John Early
Starring: Harris Mayersohn | John Early | Kate Berlant | Kip Reynolds | Neil Wachs
Year: 2026
Running time: 98
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt37675037/
Eliza says: “From the beginning, I wasn’t sure what the audience was supposed to feel. I first thought it was solely a think-piece on gender. A sort of glimpse into life if one’s gender identity simply wasn’t questioned by others, and was accepted at face value. If people could just be in relationships without gender being a second thought. The heady laughter from the audience, at first, was uncomfortable for me. I felt very..defensive, almost? for Maddie. In regards to audience response to her. I suppose it would make sense that in retrospect, that was probably the point. I kept thinking ‘why are they laughing at her? Do they know something I don’t? We aren’t far enough in the movie to tell what is funny yet.’
“My discomfort probably partially stems from being AFAB and identifying as female as an adult. I don’t have personal experience with questioning identity in this way, but I have so much empathy for those who do. I guess part of the ‘comedy’ is supposed to be that we think her secret is to do with her assigned gender at birth, but it’s really nothing to do with that. And maybe shame on the audience for the assumption.
“The film definitely had some dark turns, with some oddly fun cameos. I’m not sure what the takeaway was supposed to be, other than that I know I’m probably wrong about it. (And I don’t mean that in a bitter way.. I mean it in the way of ‘there are things I have yet to learn’.) Learning the main actor/director identifies as male in real life, and this was more like a performance in drag, I felt less defensive for Maddie and the audience laughter. Which also made me question if that was the right call. (my own quickness to feel more at ease by a drag performance, than the idea that the movie was poking fun at being trans).
“This movie made me think, and will continue to make me think. I’m glad it allowed for introspection that I might not have had the same opportunity for, otherwise.
“3/5 cats”