Movie spotlight
They and Them
At the age of 15, can you know if you ever want to conceive or give birth to a child? The team coordinator at the gender clinic in the Dutch city of Zaandam is doubtful. And yet this is one of the questions he asks the young people who register for psychological guidance. A fellow psychologist trusts that young people know what is good for them. He is a trans man and one of the experts by experience who work at the clinic. The use of language, already such a sensitive instrument, proves to be more complex than some expect. There are those who see it as unnecessary to mention your pronouns when you introduce yourself, but the majority are in favor. Director Ingrid Kamerling switches smoothly between observation and interviews. Above all, there is a sense of the need to equip young people and their parents as well as possible for the emotional journey of drastic change that lies ahead of them.
Insights
Plot Summary
A group of LGBTQ+ teens arrive at a conversion camp, expecting a grueling week of therapy designed to 'cure' them of their identities. Instead, they find themselves at the mercy of a terrifying killer stalking the camp's grounds. The teens must band together to survive the night and confront the sinister forces at play.
Critical Reception
Reviews for They/Them were largely mixed to negative. While some critics praised its attempt to blend slasher tropes with LGBTQ+ themes and Kevin Bacon's performance, many found the execution lacking, citing a predictable plot, uneven pacing, and underdeveloped characters. Audience reception was similarly divided, with some appreciating the representation but others criticizing the horror elements and narrative choices.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its timely themes and inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters in a horror setting.
Criticized for a formulaic plot and missed opportunities in its narrative execution.
Kevin Bacon's performance was often highlighted as a standout element.
Google audience: Google users offered a mixed perspective, with many appreciating the film's focus on LGBTQ+ representation and the inclusion of a conversion therapy camp setting. However, a significant portion of viewers felt the horror aspects were not sufficiently scary or original, and the plot was often predictable. Some also pointed out that the film's message could have been stronger.
Fun Fact
The film marked writer-director John Logan's directorial debut after a career primarily focused on screenwriting for films like 'Gladiator' and 'The Aviator'.
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