SHE’S THE HE

(director/writer: Siobhan McCarthy; cinematographer: Bethany Michalski; editor: Siobhan McCarthy; cast:  Nico Carney (Alex), Misha Osherovitch (Ethan), Malia Pyles (Sasha), Mark Indelicato (Davis), Suzanne Cryer (Mary, Ethan’s mother), Emmett Preciado (Jacob), Tatiana Ringsby (Forest), Aparna Nancherla (Miss Beecher), Kyle Butenhoff (Brent), Emma Orr (Victoria); Runtime: 82; MPAA Rating: NR; producers: Halley Albert, Vic Brandt; Obscured Films; 2025)

“Tackles gender identity.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

Filmmaker Siobhan McCarthy (“Biosphere”/”Red Eye”) respects the teenager transgender experience in this genre comedy that tackles gender identity.

The gay high school students Ethan (Misha Osherovitch) and Alex (Niko Carney) are dating each other when they pretend they are transgender women, that is, until Ethan is no longer pretending. This leads to a self-discovery story that includes betrayal and acceptance of who you are, as Alex and Ethan announce they are trans because She’s the He.

The struggles of coming out are passionately presented, as Ethan slowly notices he’s trans.

Though the nastiness and bigotry to the gay community by the Republicans is well-covered, the film is too tame to say more about trans policies that needs to be said.

The film has been released at a time when the Trump administration has demonstrated how evil are their policies directed to the queer community. The human-interest film is worth catching for railing against the ignorant Republican fear-mongers, while others might like it mostly just for Osherovitch’s sensitive performance.

It played at the SXSW Film Festival.

REVIEWED ON 6/11/2026  GRADE: B
dennisschwartzreviews.com