--- title: "Will & Harper" year: 2024 kind: "film" canonical: "https://film.one/film/will-and-harper" fi1m_id: "will-and-harper" imdb_id: "tt30321133" tmdb_id: 1214506 wikidata_id: "Q124352878" fi1m_score: 78 critics_score: 78 critics_reviews: 15 published: "2026-10-03T03:47:42.729233+00:00" updated: "2026-10-03T03:48:40.400055+00:00" region: "IE" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Will & Harper (2024) Directed by Josh Greenbaum · 1h 54m · IFCO 15 · Documentary, Comedy ## Identity Will & Harper - **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/will-and-harper - **Type:** Film - **Fi1m ID:** will-and-harper - **IMDb ID:** tt30321133 - **TMDB ID:** 1214506 - **Wikidata ID:** Q124352878 - **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30321133/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/1214506, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q124352878 **Fi1m score: 78** · Critics 78 from 15 reviews *In a sentence:* A road trip with Will Ferrell sounds exhausting; the surprise is how much listening gets done > Will Ferrell and Harper Steele make warm, funny company, and their frank conversations give this documentary its worth. The carefully managed journey limits what it can tell us about life without a famous companion. ## Synopsis Harper Steele sets out on a cross-country road trip after her transition, with her friend Will Ferrell beside her. Steele faces questions about whether she will still be accepted and loved, while Ferrell wants to understand how to support her. Their conversations turn to her experience of coming to terms with her identity and what it means for their friendship. Encounters with strangers bring kindness as well as risks, and Ferrell’s celebrity affects how they are received. Kristen Wiig is among the familiar faces who also appear as themselves. ## Review Josh Greenbaum’s *Will & Harper* is a warm, funny documentary that makes good use of two friends’ willingness to talk, then fusses too much over the trip around them. Will Ferrell accompanies Harper Steele on a cross-country road trip after her transition, with their friendship supplying both the comedy and the difficult questions. The film wants to make those questions approachable without treating Steele as a problem to be solved. It earns our recommendation, with a reservation about how carefully the encounters seem to have been arranged. Steele is good company because she is candid without surrendering her sense of humour. We were moved by her account of coming to terms with her identity, particularly the uncertainty about whether she would still be loved. That is a large fear to bring into a conversation between friends, and her openness gives the film weight without requiring a solemn change of tone. Greenbaum allows humour and apprehension into the same exchanges, so Steele never becomes merely the subject of a lesson. Ferrell helps by asking questions and listening, without assuming that he already understands what his friend needs. His support is persuasive because the friendship has room for uncertainty and playfulness. We do not need every question to be elegantly phrased; an immaculate conversation would make the whole exercise less useful. Their exchanges suggest how a friend might begin, without pretending that there is a set of approved sentences that will make everything simple. Zoë White keeps the cinematography unobtrusive during the conversations, giving their humour and unease room to register. Monique Zavistovski’s editing gives those exchanges an easy rhythm, and the comedy benefits from the lack of fuss. The journey between them feels more tidily organised than we would like, with encounters arriving as if each had a useful point to deliver. Nathan Halpern’s music adds warmth, though the two friends scarcely need assistance on that front. Ferrell’s fame creates the larger problem. A welcome offered in his presence cannot tell us much about what Steele might face without him, however sincere the people involved may be. Ferrell is also a producer, and the polished presentation sometimes leaves us too aware of the people organising the trip. The appearances by other celebrities strengthen that impression, making the support feel carefully assembled. There is still pleasure in seeing strangers respond kindly. A road documentary often promises to tell us something about the country it crosses. At 114 minutes, this one has time to make its carefully managed stops feel repetitive, and we would have preferred more acknowledgement of how unusual its travelling arrangements are. The open conversations offer practical encouragement to anyone worried about saying the wrong thing to a friend. Watch it with someone prepared to ask a clumsy question and stay for the answer. *Fi1m score 78, published 3 October 2026.* ## What the critics say Most critics respond warmly to Will & Harper, with praise centred on the candid, funny conversations between Will Ferrell and Harper Steele. The friendship gives the documentary its emotional force: reviews repeatedly value Steele’s openness about her identity and Ferrell’s willingness to listen and offer support. Many also see the humour as a way of making trans allyship approachable, while encounters with strangers reveal both hostility and unexpected kindness. Reservations cluster around how carefully the journey appears to be managed, from polished encounters to staged-feeling celebrity appearances. The spread runs from enthusiastic to mixed, with no outright negative reviews, and even the less persuaded critics acknowledge the pair’s warmth. Little White Lies finds the film charming but impersonal; IndieWire questions its caution and singles out the Texas barbecue sequence as a needless ordeal for Steele. Several reviews also suggest that celebrity limits what the trip reveals about the dangers facing trans people. ## Straight answers **Is Will & Harper worth watching?** *Will & Harper* is worth watching for its funny, frank conversations about friendship and transition, and we score it 78 out of 100. We recommend it to anyone who values candid conversation, though the carefully managed stops grow repetitive and Ferrell’s celebrity limits what the journey reveals about Steele’s experience without him. **How long is Will & Harper, and what is it rated?** *Will & Harper* runs 1h 54m and is rated 15 by the IFCO in Ireland. It is a documentary and comedy film. **Where can I watch Will & Harper in Ireland?** *Will & Harper* is streaming on Netflix in Ireland. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service. **How violent or frightening is Will & Harper, and is it suitable for children?** *Will & Harper* has a UK 15 certificate, making it suitable for viewers aged 15 and over rather than children. The distress described in our review concerns Steele’s fear of rejection and uncertainty about being loved after her transition. We would not take its warmth and comedy as reassurance about suitability for younger viewers. **How does Will & Harper compare to The Straight Story?** *Will & Harper* offers candid documentary conversations, while [*The Straight Story*](https://film.one/film/the-straight-story) is our stronger recommendation for a patient road film attentive to ordinary people. Both find warmth in awkward exchanges and affection, though some roadside encounters feel prepared. We favour *Will & Harper* specifically for its frank discussion of transition and supporting a friend. **What should I watch after Will & Harper?** After *Will & Harper*, try [*The Straight Story*](https://film.one/film/the-straight-story) (1999, Fi1m 88): Another patient road journey, with awkward conversation and affection doing the work. Then [*Faces Places*](https://film.one/film/faces-places) (2017, Fi1m 82): An unlikely travelling friendship gives this documentary its humour and curiosity; and [*Pride*](https://film.one/film/pride) (2014, Fi1m 82): Solidarity becomes practical, awkward and funny through people learning to trust each other. ### Reviews we read (15) - **Empire**, John Nugent (90/100, inferred): The review finds the documentary affectionate, illuminating, and timely. It especially praises Ferrell’s tender, generous support for Steele and the film’s heartfelt answer to whether she will still be loved. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/will-and-harper/) - **The i Paper**, Vic Parsons (88/100, inferred): Parsons finds the documentary moving, funny and full of love, and hopes it can positively affect how people think about trans lives. She singles out the ordinary encounters with strangers for showing both the risks Steele faces and moments of unexpected kindness. [Read](https://inews.co.uk/culture/will-harper-review-astonishing-turning-point-trans-people-3296558) - **Radio Times**, David Opie (87/100, inferred): The headline calls the documentary Will Ferrell’s best film in years. It signals that the critic values its important subject, but the accessible page does not reveal what else they praise. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/will-harper-will-ferrell-best-movie-years-comment/) - **Variety**, Peter Debruge (85/100, inferred): Debruge finds the film warm and worthwhile, calling it an important example of trans allyship. He praises Steele’s openness and Ferrell’s supportive friendship, while noting the trip’s highly managed, relentlessly positive presentation. [Read](https://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/will-and-harper-review-will-ferrell-1235882755/) - **Total Film**, Matt Maytum (4/5): The critic finds the documentary likeable, authentic, and gently moving, despite occasional doubts about orchestration and product placement. They single out its compassionate, open dialogue between friends as its greatest strength. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/documentaries/will-and-harper-review/) - **The Hollywood Reporter**, Lovia Gyarkye (75/100, inferred): Gyarkye finds the documentary endearing and moving, though its portrayal of the dangers facing trans people feels limited by the subjects’ celebrity. She especially praises the honest, evolving friendship between Ferrell and Steele. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/will-and-harper-review-will-ferrell-harper-steele-1235803352/) - **Vulture**, Bilge Ebiri (75/100, inferred): Ebiri finds the documentary warm, funny, and moving, though conventional in its structure. He especially praises the open, gentle conversations between Ferrell and Steele. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/article/will-and-harper-review-a-will-ferrell-road-trip-documentary.html) - **IndieWire**, Lauren Wissot (B-): Wissot finds the documentary amiable and well-intentioned but trapped in a timid, mushy middle. She praises the Albuquerque hot-air-balloon scene while criticizing the Texas barbecue sequence for putting Harper through a needless ordeal. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/will-and-harper-review-1234946962/) - **The Guardian**, Benjamin Lee (70/100, inferred): The critic finds it an effective, crowd-pleasing film, though some polished moments feel overly engineered. Harper Steele’s candid account of coming to terms with her identity is singled out for its power and emotional depth. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/jan/23/will-harper-will-ferrell-documentary-review) - **Screen Daily**, Amber Wilkinson (65/100, inferred): The accessible page does not reveal the critic’s verdict. Its standfirst describes a cross-country road trip following Harper’s transition. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/will-and-harper-sundance-review/5189725.article) - **Little White Lies**, Juan Barquín (4/3/3): Barquín finds the documentary charming but impersonal, with its polished encounters making the journey feel too carefully managed. He praises the warmth and playful bond between Harper and Ferrell, especially in their personal conversations. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/will-and-harper) - **Eye for Film**, Jennie Kermode (90/100, inferred): Kermode calls the documentary a powerful, valuable work and a joy to watch. She praises its warm portrayal of friendship and its balance of political hostility with the country’s potential for openness. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/will-harper-2024-film-review-by-jennie-kermode) - **Digital Spy**, Jamie Windust (85/100, inferred): Windust finds the film a necessary, heartwarming demonstration of how comedy can make allyship more human and approachable. They especially praise Ferrell and Steele’s candid, humorous conversations and the empathy in their friendship. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a62369921/will-harper-netflix/) - **/Film**, BJ Colangelo (8/10): The critic calls the documentary a charming, important film about friendship and allyship. She praises Harper Steele’s humor and the pair’s banter, while noting that staged-feeling celebrity appearances undercut its documentary authenticity. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/1671325/will-and-harper-netflix-documentary-review/) - **The Playlist** (70/100, inferred): The review URL characterizes the film as a poignant story of friendship and acceptance. It singles out the bond at the heart of the road trip for praise. [Read](https://theplaylist.net/will-harper-review-will-ferrells-trans-road-trip-is-a-poignant-tale-of-friendship-acceptance-sundance-20240124/) ## Details - **Director:** Josh Greenbaum - **Director:** Josh Greenbaum - **Cinematography:** Zoë White - **Editor:** Monique Zavistovski - **Music:** Nathan Halpern - **Producer:** Josh Greenbaum, Will Ferrell, Christopher Leggett - **Cast:** Will Ferrell as Self; Harper Steele as Self; Tim Meadows as Self; Seth Meyers as Self; Kristen Wiig as Self; Colin Jost as Self; Lorne Michaels as Self; Will Forte as Self - **Runtime:** 1h 54m - **Certificate (IFCO):** 15 - **Release (Ireland):** 13 September 2024 - **Genres:** Documentary, Comedy - **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRZ1ELeGepo ## Where to watch in Ireland - Netflix: streaming *Checked 2026-10-03.* Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, AZ, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, SK, TH, TR, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country. ## If you liked this - *The Straight Story* (1999), Fi1m 88: Another patient road journey, with awkward conversation and affection doing the work. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-straight-story.md) - *Faces Places* (2017), Fi1m 82: An unlikely travelling friendship gives this documentary its humour and curiosity. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/faces-places.md) - *Pride* (2014), Fi1m 82: Solidarity becomes practical, awkward and funny through people learning to trust each other. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/pride.md) - *The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert* (1994), Fi1m 81: A brasher road comedy about friendship, performance and the risks of being visible. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-adventures-of-priscilla-queen-of-the-desert.md) - *Disclosure* (2020): For a closer examination of how screen images shape attitudes towards trans people. --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/will-and-harper