Will Ferrell’s “Will & Harper” on Netflix: A Flawed Yet Essential Watch for Cisgender Audiences

Will Ferrell’s latest documentary, Will & Harper, now streaming on Netflix, takes viewers on a raw and heartfelt journey that explores the complexities of friendship, identity, and acceptance. The film follows Ferrell and his longtime friend, Harper Steele, as they embark on a cross-country road trip, confronting difficult and deeply personal truths. Harper, once known to Will as a man, is a trans woman who has recently begun her medical transition. The documentary sheds light on her journey while revealing how Ferrell navigates this new chapter in their friendship.

While Will & Harper has its imperfections, it offers an honest and necessary look at what it means for cisgender people to understand and support their trans friends. The film may be uncomfortable at times, especially for those unfamiliar with the trans experience, but it’s precisely this discomfort that makes it so vital.

Unfiltered Curiosity and Missteps

Throughout Will & Harper, Ferrell openly admits his confusion and curiosity about Harper’s transition, asking questions many cis people might feel are inappropriate, such as, “How are your boobs?” and even inquiring about Harper’s plans for further surgeries. Harper, on the other hand, is surprisingly open and accommodating, giving Will permission to ask whatever he wants.

While these moments can feel invasive, they also highlight an important reality: many cisgender people are unsure how to approach conversations about gender identity and transition. The documentary doesn’t shy away from showing Ferrell’s privilege and the uneven power dynamic between him and Harper. Yet, it’s in these unfiltered moments that Will & Harper brings forth the raw vulnerability of the trans experience, making it clear just how difficult it is for trans women like Harper to navigate the world, even with well-meaning friends.

The Weight of Transition

Harper’s transition isn’t just a personal journey; it’s also a social one. In the film, she grapples with finding safety and acceptance, both in everyday situations and within her closest relationships. A pivotal moment comes when a therapist Harper meets at the Grand Canyon asks her deeply personal questions about her identity, revealing that this curiosity isn’t limited to friends like Will but extends to strangers as well. The emotional toll of constantly being seen as a curiosity or spectacle is evident, and the film captures Harper’s resilience as she faces these moments with grace.

Many trans viewers might feel a deep connection to Harper’s experience. As Veronica Esposito, a trans woman who reviewed the film, notes, this constant willingness to answer deeply personal questions is a common part of early transition. For Harper, as for many, this period is marked by a delicate balance between being vulnerable and asserting boundaries in a world that often misunderstands or judges.

A Film for the Cis Audience

Will & Harper ultimately isn’t just about Harper’s story—it’s about how cisgender people, like Will, can learn to support and respect their trans friends. It invites viewers to confront their own biases and assumptions while learning from Will’s often clumsy but well-intentioned efforts to understand Harper’s transition.

The documentary’s imperfections lie in the imbalance of power between Will and Harper, as Will’s questions often seem to overshadow Harper’s emotional needs. However, Will & Harper provides a crucial lens into how trans people, especially trans women, navigate friendships, safety, and identity in a world that’s often unkind or oblivious.

Why “Will & Harper” Matters

For cis viewers, Will & Harper is a must-watch, offering an opportunity to reflect on how they interact with trans individuals in their lives. It’s a film filled with uncomfortable but necessary moments that reveal the real struggles faced by the trans community.

Though flawed, the documentary succeeds in presenting an honest portrayal of friendship during transition, reminding us that learning and growth come from a place of discomfort. Will & Harper may not get everything right, but it encourages important conversations and, more importantly, empathy for those who live on the margins of society.

Will & Harper is available now on Netflix, and it’s a film that anyone curious about the trans experience—or eager to be a better ally—should make time to see.