SHE’S THE HE is an LGBTQ+ coming-of-age comedy made by queer people and for queer people. Unapologetically and going all-out. Of course, everyone can (and should) watch it, but not everyone will catch every detail and quip. Read our full She’s the He movie review here and find it on Digital now!
SHE’S THE HE is out on Digital, and if you’re LGBTQ+ or an ally, then this is the movie to watch. Not only to support the filmmaker, cast, and crew (though that would be reason enough), but rather because it’s an absolute treat and lots of fun to watch.
It’s a play on all those coming-of-age comedies where someone tries to pretend they’re someone else to get the guy or girl of their dreams. As such, this movie has a premise I’ve watched so many times, but never quite like this. Coming the closest are movies like Booksmart or Crush (2022), but they are nowhere near as truly queer (in every positive sense of the word) as this one.
Continue reading our She’s the He movie review below. Find it on Digital now.
Become a girl to get the girl
The core premise of She’s the He is exactly as silly and wonderful as with most other teen or YA comedies with a coming-of-age plot.
Coming the closest is probably the MTV series Faking It. In that show, two girls pretended to be dating to get attention from a boy. Well, one of them hatched this plan, and the other realized she was, in fact, gay.
In this new queer comedy, Ethan and Alex end up posing as trans women. A stupid idea, obviously, but there are two reasons for this crazy plan. First, Alex desperately wants to make it clear that he and Ethan are not a couple. Gay rumors have stuck to them forever, and they have never dated. Second, Alex wants to get closer to the girls.
What better place to do that than in the girls’ locker room?
When a joke becomes serious
In classic Gen Z form, the girls accept their friends being trans, as does the teacher.
It works perfectly and is all a “fun joke” until one of the cis-girls helps Ethan with make-up and a better outfit. Suddenly, Ethan looks in the mirror and finally sees the girl she’s always been. Yes, Ethan is really trans. Also, she’s a lesbian, which is good, as a non-binary lesbian classmate is also crazy about Ethan.
Finally, everything is coming up rainbows for Ethan, and she is truly happy. But that won’t last long, as we need some drama in this comedy. Hey, that’s the premise, and I am absolutely buying it in this one.
Watch She’s the He on Digital now
Writer and director of She’s the He is Siobhan McCarthy, and I cannot wait to see what comes next. More of the same would be just fine with me. This is low-budget, but it has so much talent, integrity, and obvious love of the audience this was made for. Yep, I’m a fan of Siobhan McCarthy.
The cast includes Misha Osherovich (Freaky) as Ethan, Nico Carney as Alex, and Suzanne Cryer (Mrs. Davis, Silicon Valley) as Ethan’s mom. All three end up being the true heart of the movie. Among the classmates are characters portrayed by Malia Pyles (Cape Fear), Mark Indelicato (Hacks), and Tatiana Ringsby from several Zolita music videos.
Yes, in this wonderfully queer coming-of-age comedy, the actors portraying characters are mirroring their own gender and sexuality. Trans actors are portraying trans characters, and gay actors are playing gay characters. I have to admit that I love this, and it must have made for the best set ever for everyone involved.
While both The L Word and Happiest Season are productions that have come close, this one goes all the way. Also, with a runtime of just 82 minutes, you can expect to want to watch this movie several times. Consider yourself warned… and enjoy!
Womentainment recommendation: Put this one at the top of your “Want to Watch” list
Obviously, all queer people aren’t as over the top as some of the characters in She’s the He. That’s often the case with movies. Comedies in particular. Nobody ever bothered to put up a disclaimer like this for She’s the Man or 10 Things I Hate About You.
And yet, with a movie like She’s the He, I felt a lot more seen than in many of those movies. Yes, in an over-the-top way, but that’s the point. We’re allowed to have fun with our own quirks. It’s a lot better than always being the joke in some straight movie.
Plus, I have to also point out that this story does get more serious and dark at times. It deals with some heavy subjects, and parents wanting a happy and “easy” life (whatever that is?) for their child also come up. This was what ensured the rating ended as it did. It’s not all rainbow stickers, poppers, and thumb rings.
She’s the He is out on Digital now.
Director: Siobhan McCarthy
Writer: Siobhan McCarthy
Stars: Misha Osherovich, Nico Carney, Suzanne Cryer, Malia Pyles, Mark Indelicato, Emmett Preciado, Tatiana Ringsby
Official plot:
Before graduation, Ethan and Alex pose as trans women in a last ditch effort to quell gay rumors. It’s all a joke until Ethan realizes: she really is trans. The two must reckon with their changing friendship, coming out, and coming-of-age.
