Let me start with this: Will & Harper was not the documentary I expected…and that’s exactly what made it so special. Yes, it stars Will Ferrell. Yes, it’s got moments of the absurd, random hilarity you’d expect from him. But more than anything, it’s a tender, deeply human story about change, friendship, and showing up when it matters most.
The premise is simple: Ferrell and Harper Steele (a former SNL head writer and longtime friend) set out on a cross-country road trip after Harper comes out as a trans woman. It’s part bucket-list bonding, part healing tour, part mutual therapy session—and it works on every level.
What struck me most was how unguarded both of them are throughout the film. Ferrell is clearly navigating new territory, sometimes unsure of what to say or how to say it, but never unsure of why he’s there. You can tell he’s committed to understanding Harper’s experience, and that commitment shows up in the little moments: the long silences, the awkward questions, the genuine laughter, and the open-ended “I’m here for you” energy that underlines every scene.
Harper, on the other hand, is remarkable. Vulnerable, funny, clear-eyed, and willing to share some of the most painful—and liberating—parts of her journey. She holds space for Ferrell’s learning curve without minimizing her own story, which is no small emotional feat. Their chemistry is easy and unfiltered, and you believe every bit of their decades-long friendship. Even when they’re talking about difficult things, like Harper’s fears of being misgendered or the reaction of mutual friends, the love is palpable.
The film doesn’t feel performative or overly produced. It feels like riding in the backseat of their rental car, overhearing two people figuring things out together in real time. There’s something incredibly intimate about that, and director Josh Greenbaum wisely lets those moments breathe.
In a media landscape full of stories that often flatten or sensationalize the trans experience, Will & Harper stands out by simply being honest. It’s not trying to teach a lesson or deliver a perfectly packaged message. It’s about listening, learning, and loving through the messiness.
If you’ve ever had a friend who helped you see the world differently, or stuck with you as you changed, this one will hit home.
OUR RATING
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