June 30, 2026
FILM: SHE’S THE HE
WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY: SIOBHAN MCCARTHY
STARRING: MISHA OSHEROVICH, NICO CARNEY, SUZANNE CRYER
RATING: 3 out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
It is the 2020s and sexual identity, orientation, and gender labels have evolved into something that even independent films couldn’t have dreamed of 40 years ago. In She’s the He, Ethan and Alex are two high school seniors about to graduate. Everyone thinks the best friends are gay but Alex wants to prove that they aren’t so that he can meet girls. They come up with a plan in which they will tell everyone that they are transgender. This will involve stealing clothes from the girls’ locker room and then attending an all-girls party. (Sounds like Bosom Buddies back in the early 80s, no?) There, Alex can get closer to Sasha, a girl whom he has a crush on. For Ethan, wearing female clothes sparks something inside which suggests Ethan is in fact, transgender.
Some of these narrative details seem pretty unlikely, even for a 21st Century-set story. How they could ever think that this ploy would work is a mystery. They’ve been at the school for four years and only now does Alex think people will buy his story? It’s true that the school is significantly “woke.” Girls are ready to apply make-up to the “boys” and the tough jocks think Alex and Ethan may be onto something and decide to venture themselves into the girls’ locker room for some cross dressing to meet more girls.
Yes, this sounds outlandish and unbelievable. It all happens much too fast and everyone seems to be accepting of anyone who stands outside the margins of traditional gender roles. It’s a pretty idyllic world that feels more like something we’d love to see than anything based on reality. Don’t get me wrong, I wish things were this easy for young people today but I’m not sure how true it is to those still struggling with coming out as either gay or transgender.
There is at least one character though, Ethan’s mom Mary, played by Suzanne Cryer, who doesn’t seem to notice the changes in her “son.” She keeps telling Ethan how handsome he is and how important it is for her to have him as the man in their home. Given the fantasy developments of the plot though, Mary does come around, again, rather quickly.
Yet even with these utopian ideas for identity today, there is something very sweet and hopeful about the film. Alex’s acceptance of his best friend’s transition is truly admirable. Nico Carney, who plays Alex, exudes warmth and complete loyalty to Ethan. Yes, a lot of what he does is ultimately for himself but he’s a good role model for a friend. The actor is generally very bubbly, animated, and full of energy. He would fit right into a 1980s John Hughes film. I could also see him being a great sketch comedy performer on SNL someday.
Misha Osherovich has been receiving most of the attention though as Ethan, even being nominated for Best Breakthrough Performance by the Independent Spirit Awards. Misha stands in sharp contrast to everything Nico Carney is doing as Alex. Ethan is portrayed by Misha as very vulnerable and sensitive. The physical looks already suggest a transition is in the works for Ethan thanks to Misha’s soft features and long curly hair. It’s a very brave and inspiring performance.
Writer/Director Siobhan McCarthy adds animated graphics to the film’s visual design to keep a lighter feeling that corresponds to the fantasy elements of the story. She also includes the classic song Time Warp from another gender-bending narrative ahead of its time, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. These choices add to an atmosphere of little transphobia or homophobia and instead asks the question, wouldn’t life be better if we didn’t label and just let people be who they are?
She’s the He is now available via video on demand platforms.
FILM: SHE’S THE HE
WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY: SIOBHAN MCCARTHY
STARRING: MISHA OSHEROVICH, NICO CARNEY, SUZANNE CRYER
RATING: 3 out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
It is the 2020s and sexual identity, orientation, and gender labels have evolved into something that even independent films couldn’t have dreamed of 40 years ago. In She’s the He, Ethan and Alex are two high school seniors about to graduate. Everyone thinks the best friends are gay but Alex wants to prove that they aren’t so that he can meet girls. They come up with a plan in which they will tell everyone that they are transgender. This will involve stealing clothes from the girls’ locker room and then attending an all-girls party. (Sounds like Bosom Buddies back in the early 80s, no?) There, Alex can get closer to Sasha, a girl whom he has a crush on. For Ethan, wearing female clothes sparks something inside which suggests Ethan is in fact, transgender.
Some of these narrative details seem pretty unlikely, even for a 21st Century-set story. How they could ever think that this ploy would work is a mystery. They’ve been at the school for four years and only now does Alex think people will buy his story? It’s true that the school is significantly “woke.” Girls are ready to apply make-up to the “boys” and the tough jocks think Alex and Ethan may be onto something and decide to venture themselves into the girls’ locker room for some cross dressing to meet more girls.
Yes, this sounds outlandish and unbelievable. It all happens much too fast and everyone seems to be accepting of anyone who stands outside the margins of traditional gender roles. It’s a pretty idyllic world that feels more like something we’d love to see than anything based on reality. Don’t get me wrong, I wish things were this easy for young people today but I’m not sure how true it is to those still struggling with coming out as either gay or transgender.
There is at least one character though, Ethan’s mom Mary, played by Suzanne Cryer, who doesn’t seem to notice the changes in her “son.” She keeps telling Ethan how handsome he is and how important it is for her to have him as the man in their home. Given the fantasy developments of the plot though, Mary does come around, again, rather quickly.
Yet even with these utopian ideas for identity today, there is something very sweet and hopeful about the film. Alex’s acceptance of his best friend’s transition is truly admirable. Nico Carney, who plays Alex, exudes warmth and complete loyalty to Ethan. Yes, a lot of what he does is ultimately for himself but he’s a good role model for a friend. The actor is generally very bubbly, animated, and full of energy. He would fit right into a 1980s John Hughes film. I could also see him being a great sketch comedy performer on SNL someday.
Misha Osherovich has been receiving most of the attention though as Ethan, even being nominated for Best Breakthrough Performance by the Independent Spirit Awards. Misha stands in sharp contrast to everything Nico Carney is doing as Alex. Ethan is portrayed by Misha as very vulnerable and sensitive. The physical looks already suggest a transition is in the works for Ethan thanks to Misha’s soft features and long curly hair. It’s a very brave and inspiring performance.
Writer/Director Siobhan McCarthy adds animated graphics to the film’s visual design to keep a lighter feeling that corresponds to the fantasy elements of the story. She also includes the classic song Time Warp from another gender-bending narrative ahead of its time, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. These choices add to an atmosphere of little transphobia or homophobia and instead asks the question, wouldn’t life be better if we didn’t label and just let people be who they are?
She’s the He is now available via video on demand platforms.