Siobhan McCarthy’s film She’s the He! skewers the pervasive, yet unfounded idea that men are pretending to be trans women to get into girls’ locker rooms by creating a scenario in which two men pretend to be trans to get into a girls’ locker room. Although the premise is a little bit convoluted, by taking these talking points at face value, it is able to show their absurdity, while also presenting a truly beautiful coming out story. She’s the He! is available to rent or own on VOD.
Alex (Nico Carney) and Ethan (Misha Osherovich) have been best friends for ages, so close that their classmates and even teachers think that they’re gay. Because of this, Alex is having a hard time getting with the girl of his dreams, Sasha (Malia Pyles). Ethan says that if they were girls, maybe no one would think they were gay, and Alex jumps on it, immediately deciding that they should pretend to be trans girls so he can get close to Sasha. While this plan is doomed from the start, it does make Ethan realize that this identity feels more accurate.
Gender-swap stories have been around since Shakespeare, but recent attacks against the trans community have given many of those stories a painful edge. She’s the He! is performed largely by trans and gender-nonconforming actors, allowing for a certain level of ownership of the narrative and using that to point out some of the silliness of the trans-panic. It also allows them to shape this into a coming out story that is deeply authentic and heartwarming.
Like a lot of 90’s teen romp movies, the cast in this are much older than high school students, but given that a lot of LGBTQ teens suffer from bullying, there’s no doubt that this is an opportunity to create a story that allows them to relive that season with a bit more joy. All of the performers are solid, but Tatiana Ringsby, who plays Forest, one of the theater kids who Ethan falls in love with, deserves a shout-out. Ethan’s mom, Mary (Suzanne Cryer), also deserves a nod for portraying a parent learning that her child is trans, with skepticism, fear, and eventually compassion.
The heart of She’s the He! definitely lies with Osherovich. Watching her blossom as she discovers her identity is absolutely beautiful. It is also impressive because she has to show that experience with her best friend, with a potential partner, with her mom, and with herself. Portraying all of that is challenging, but she accomplishes it so gracefully.
This movie won’t be for everyone. Some of the gross-out humor didn’t work, and it leans pretty heavily into the high school stereotypes, sometimes beyond what feels satirical. But She’s the He! also offers a glimpse into the difficulties and joys of coming out as a trans person. Because sometimes we need to be able to laugh at the caricatures in order to be able to truly let ourselves be known.
Rating: 4/5
This review originally appeared in The Dominion Post on July 31, 2026.
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.