"Welcome to womanhood, sluts."
Trans kids using any public bathroom. It's a conservative's nightmare that, mere months ago, sat at the core of an election. While triggering for some, first-time writer/director Siobhan McCarthy proves that it can also be a source of comedy in their debut feature, She's the He.
The film centers on Alex (Nico Carney) and Ethan (Misha Osherovich), two high school seniors who, to correct a longstanding gay rumor and gain access to the women's locker room, pretend to be trans. But what starts as an innocent scheme to connect with Sasha, the girl of Alex's dreams, quickly becomes a life-changing realization as Ethan faces their newfound identity.
Using 80s and 90s rom-com tropes in a present, timely environment, She's the He cashes in on the long-established visual language that is high school adolescents and the behavior that goes along with it. The film, boasting a cast comprised almost entirely of trans, non-binary, and queer individuals, is an unequivocal love letter to the LGBTQ+ community, bringing forth a level of representation that is rare in the space.
As Alex and Ethan successfully work through their plan, they celebrate their admission differently. While Alex desperately wants to make a move on his long-time crush, Ethan is experiencing a consequential emotional crisis. Dressed for the part by their new besties, a visual change is immediately evident to the viewer. Credit Osherovich for a tremendous turn, speaking volumes without saying a word as we embark on a visual journey, complete with a sudden emotional pull.
Unfortunately, the film doesn't stop long enough for those watching to form a deep connection. Instead, we speed through the realization as the film pushes the narrative forward, focusing on both the existing best-friend relationship and the one Ethan is working to understand with themself.
During this time, McCarthy attempts to mix immature humor, a proven staple in adolescent-centric films, with the poignant drama traditionally exclusively showcased between a heterosexual couple. And while nearly every film requires a love interest, He's the She turns that expectation on its head, prioritizing the one we learn to have with ourselves over the reliance we often feel to be with someone else.
While students at their immensely progressive school immediately accept Ethan's newly recognized identity, things don't go as smoothly at home. Many within the community will feel that Ethan's progress is fast-tracked, with significant emotions short-changed into a single afternoon. That is one of the major issues I have with the film. Overly simplified and quick-paced, She's the He refuses to venture below the surface. As a result, it never gives audiences an honest look at Ethan's identity journey, as we never see them work through authentic life experiences.
But alas, that also isn't McCarthy's responsibility. And unlike a three-season run on a streaming service, there isn't the time or space to depict Ethan's entire process. Thankfully, the film still showcases a somewhat sluggish reveal to a parent while keeping the story light and fresh, not to thwart the large-scale humor that the narrative does, at times, overly rely on.
When the popular jocks learn of Alex and Ethan's success, they attempt to mimic the plan by forcing their way into the locker room. To conservatives, it's what they've been warning us about for the last several years. To others, it's a humorous take on the issue and strongly reminiscent of films like 1992's Ladybugs, 2002's Sorority Boys, and 2006's She's the Man. Decades ago, those films were comedy gold. And though they enjoyed a bigger budget and star power, She's the He reminds us that a funny and meaningful story can succeed with honest representation, even if it must keep things moving at an unusually fast clip.
