738 reviews
Those who call it transphobic haven't watched it
I was quite surprised to see the level of respect this film had for the subjects, at many points reflecting on the sympathy for children suffering with gender identity.
I think what I appreciated most was that these weren't trick questions, the presenter asked very basic and honest questions - the fact that a univeristy professor was unable to answer simple questions in his own field was very telling. It was a running theme that those who wanted honest discussions were being shut down, lose their careers and even faced imprisonment.
Speaking with an African tribe was also an interesting juxtaposition of societal ideals.
My one criticism is that I wish he had not been able to open the jar of pickles.
I think what I appreciated most was that these weren't trick questions, the presenter asked very basic and honest questions - the fact that a univeristy professor was unable to answer simple questions in his own field was very telling. It was a running theme that those who wanted honest discussions were being shut down, lose their careers and even faced imprisonment.
Speaking with an African tribe was also an interesting juxtaposition of societal ideals.
My one criticism is that I wish he had not been able to open the jar of pickles.
- omega_work
- Jun 8, 2022
- Permalink
Worth Watching
This documentary is affecting. It starts with emotions of confusion, humor and fascination, and journey's deep into a place of disturbance and despair. It has some mild trolling at the start, but it genuinely gives everyone a chance to speak and doesn't have any dishonest cuts. It handles a topic that's managed to become controversial in maybe the last five years. But it also asks questions, that no matter where you stand we should be asking if we really care about people - are the procedures successful outcomes? Are there lasting after effects or issues? Are we influencing people and in what ways? Do children have a clear sense of self and consent?
An Actual Documentary
So, its fairly well produced, it looks good (certainly comparable to other documentaries out there.) All of the technical aspects of the film are in order. Nothing truly stands out as exceptional, but everything is very much professional.
From an approach perspective, it really is more of a documentary than most "documentaries" in that, the main character (Matt Walsh) is asking questions to try and understand the opposing opinion. Most "Documentaries" have a side and then only interview supporting perspectives of the thesis. In this case, Walsh actually interviews the opposing side a lot. For that reason alone, this a more honest documentary. Now, fair-is-fair, I don't like the subject of documentaries to be the documentarian. I believe that would classify it as more journalistic or activist (a-la, Moore or Spurlock.) But it is a common documentary style.
That said, I guess we get into the meat of it and why people love it or hate it. As before mentioned, there is a lot of exchanges with opposing view points, and those view points did not make strong arguments. Did Walsh interview the actual leading experts on the subjects? Maybe, maybe not. They do have considerable credibility, but Walsh himself is by no means an expert in the field, so even if the people he's interviewing are not the leaders, it's not like it's an unfair fight.
I think if you're for or against this subject matter, it's probably a good film to watch. It's always good to know what the opposing arguments are, but for some reason this topic people get very passionate about. From a purely creative standpoint, I think it's great, not exceptional, but if you like documentaries, it's going to be one of the best ones this year.
From an approach perspective, it really is more of a documentary than most "documentaries" in that, the main character (Matt Walsh) is asking questions to try and understand the opposing opinion. Most "Documentaries" have a side and then only interview supporting perspectives of the thesis. In this case, Walsh actually interviews the opposing side a lot. For that reason alone, this a more honest documentary. Now, fair-is-fair, I don't like the subject of documentaries to be the documentarian. I believe that would classify it as more journalistic or activist (a-la, Moore or Spurlock.) But it is a common documentary style.
That said, I guess we get into the meat of it and why people love it or hate it. As before mentioned, there is a lot of exchanges with opposing view points, and those view points did not make strong arguments. Did Walsh interview the actual leading experts on the subjects? Maybe, maybe not. They do have considerable credibility, but Walsh himself is by no means an expert in the field, so even if the people he's interviewing are not the leaders, it's not like it's an unfair fight.
I think if you're for or against this subject matter, it's probably a good film to watch. It's always good to know what the opposing arguments are, but for some reason this topic people get very passionate about. From a purely creative standpoint, I think it's great, not exceptional, but if you like documentaries, it's going to be one of the best ones this year.
- jerrycoliver
- Jun 2, 2022
- Permalink
Just watch it.
An incredibly important and insightful documentary for our time and surprisingly funny at times.
Highly recommended to anyone who is interested in the topic and wants to learn more about how gender has become politicized including what different people from various fields and communities have to say from both sides of the discussion. 10/10.
Highly recommended to anyone who is interested in the topic and wants to learn more about how gender has become politicized including what different people from various fields and communities have to say from both sides of the discussion. 10/10.
- ranentrudgett
- Jun 2, 2022
- Permalink
Upsetting
This movie, which is basically Matt Walsh trying to get a simple answer to the title question is very well done, while also being frightening, upsetting and sickening in proving how far our society has fallen. It's a must watch for parents, but also anyone horrified by what they see and read in the world today. He talks to both sides, right and left, people on the street and even people in Africa, in a segment that really puts this controversial subject in a different light.
- hampersnow-41369
- Jun 6, 2022
- Permalink
Enjoyable but one-sided
Very enjoyable to watch, but too biased to be called a documentary, and is well designed to support e certain narrative. It cherry picks interviews with stupid or dangerous people in the LGBTQ+ community and well grounded/sophisticated people on the conservative side to present a reality with lunatics vs pragmatists. There are bright minds, like the ones that have helped society move forward the last 100 years, that could provide the real arguments on why gender as a term is a valuable tool in order to study social behaviours and understand ourselves. These bright minds were not presented.
- alexischristod
- Jun 7, 2022
- Permalink
A missed opportunity
- keithbolton
- Jul 23, 2023
- Permalink
What is the Truth?
Despite the ruckus and waves this movie has seemingly caused, I think that before one judges it, one should give it a view. Perhaps there's a reason it's caused a fuss..
As with nearly any documentary, the writer does have a side he leans toward; however, that does not mean the information within is invalid. Both sides are interviewed and given a platform to speak "their truth." Both sides were also given a list of questions that would be asked. The difference was the answers given..or not given.
I must encourage a watch. It is a great wealth of information no matter where you fall.
I must encourage a watch. It is a great wealth of information no matter where you fall.
What a hard question!!
As a feminist and as a "leftist" - Thank you!
I saw the trailer a couple of times during the year and I never really knew what this documentary was about. It peaked my interest but from the trailer, I thought I would just see an angry, trump loving far right winger who has no interest in finding out the truth but to just ignite frustration and drama.
Boy, was I wrong.
This movie, opened my eyes even more. It did confirm a lot of the thoughts and feelings I have towards this subject and honestly as a feminist, a liberal and a socialist, I agree with him fully.
The documentary was well done but I wish they would've given them more budget because this deserved more. More interviews. Panels, discussions, and personal stories. Plenty of good information but a lot more could've been done.
It deserves 10 stars because it tells the truth.
Boy, was I wrong.
This movie, opened my eyes even more. It did confirm a lot of the thoughts and feelings I have towards this subject and honestly as a feminist, a liberal and a socialist, I agree with him fully.
The documentary was well done but I wish they would've given them more budget because this deserved more. More interviews. Panels, discussions, and personal stories. Plenty of good information but a lot more could've been done.
It deserves 10 stars because it tells the truth.
Equal parts hilarious, eye-opening, disturbing and powerful
Matt Walsh is great. In a time of ridiculous ideas and terrible logic, especially in politics, he's consistently a voice of reason. I disagree with him on only a few relatively minor things, but most of the time, he explains himself very clearly, step by step, and with a very dry sense of humour.
Here, he does the right thing in patiently letting us here all the sides to this issue without instantly blurting out his opinions and reasoning. He just listens. He plays dumb, but not rudely. He asks sincere, relevant questions. He plays devil's advocate on both sides.
The interviewees include regular people, experts, academics, authors, professionals of various kinds and even Africans (I think it's a Kenyan tribe). The Africans were hilarious. They have more common sense than most Americans it seems, probably because they have no time for delusion.
Parts of this documentary are disturbing. There is evil in the world. There are insane people. And sometimes insane ideas become massively popular. Mental illness can become celebrated. Speaking common sense or even *questioning* certain ideas can get you labelled all kinds of horrible things. That's how much the movement matters. The truth is the first casualty.
The only thing is, the people who need to see this won't. And even a sharp movie like this can do little against years of indoctrination. In a world where the ability or even motivation to use logic is so rare, you can barely try to convince anyone.
But Walsh is doing a great job. And I learned a lot from this, especially about the underpinning of modern "gender identity" theory. I hope he keeps fighting the good fight.
Here, he does the right thing in patiently letting us here all the sides to this issue without instantly blurting out his opinions and reasoning. He just listens. He plays dumb, but not rudely. He asks sincere, relevant questions. He plays devil's advocate on both sides.
The interviewees include regular people, experts, academics, authors, professionals of various kinds and even Africans (I think it's a Kenyan tribe). The Africans were hilarious. They have more common sense than most Americans it seems, probably because they have no time for delusion.
Parts of this documentary are disturbing. There is evil in the world. There are insane people. And sometimes insane ideas become massively popular. Mental illness can become celebrated. Speaking common sense or even *questioning* certain ideas can get you labelled all kinds of horrible things. That's how much the movement matters. The truth is the first casualty.
The only thing is, the people who need to see this won't. And even a sharp movie like this can do little against years of indoctrination. In a world where the ability or even motivation to use logic is so rare, you can barely try to convince anyone.
But Walsh is doing a great job. And I learned a lot from this, especially about the underpinning of modern "gender identity" theory. I hope he keeps fighting the good fight.
- Christopher_Reid
- Jun 27, 2022
- Permalink
Very insightful
No matter where you land on the political spectrum, I really recommend giving this a watch.
It's very eye opening about today's culture and some of the things that we may not want to look at.
It's very eye opening about today's culture and some of the things that we may not want to look at.
- tiffanyrdow
- Jun 1, 2022
- Permalink
Sound but manipulative
Even though Matt starts asking good questions, makes many valid points, and even manages to come up with witty ways to poke fun at absurd views and statements, the narrative soon enough changes into vehicle of biased, ideological propaganda. Even though I agree that the "woke" approach to gender is insincere, notably dishonest, it does not allow free discussion, it does not correspond with the actual findings of genuine scientific research, and thus is biased as well, the documentary paints the picture that all people willing to accept anything beyond "fox-news" definition of gender, are basically idiots with malignant agenda. Conservative interviewees chosen for the documentary are educated and sound, and those selected to oppose happen to be confused, clueless or completely derranged. Even though I do agree with the message, the way it is communicated is suggestive and manipulative, which does not meet the standard of a honest documentary. I rate it 6/10.
Good but could have done better
On the plus side
Gaps
- interviewed a lot of solemn, pious academics who could not give a non-circular answer to the question "what is a woman?"
Gaps
- not much investigative zeal; very partisan
- did not present the evidence from the UK, Swedish, Finnish and French medical regulators who are raising doubts about treating adolescents with puberty blockers and steroids. Lost opportunity to challenge American gender zealots.
An adult female
The fact that we live in a world where a question like this is not only asked but people, especially many women in this documentary, can't seem to be able to answer is mind blowing. Great documentary. The truth sets people free.
- sateigdraleah
- Jul 9, 2022
- Permalink
Confused and sad about the world we're in
- inricdemelnibone
- Aug 4, 2022
- Permalink
A light in the middle of darkness
I'm a big fan of Matt Walsh after seeing him on the Dr. Phil show. He makes his undisputed point across in a very clearly and stable manner.
A must watch!!
A must watch!!
- zensatva-1
- Jun 5, 2022
- Permalink
Interesting stuff but that is not a documentary.
My problem with this was the fact that it suggests it is a documentary trying to question some stuff, a presenter seeking answers, traveling the world to listen to different opinions.
That is simply not the truth.
The narrator already knows what he believes, he has a solid opinion and at no point does he seem to be open to discussion and to actually listen to the people he interviews.
The so called documentary is just a way for the narrator to promote his ideas about certain matters. Whether I agree with him or not, he is just not doing what he said he would be doing, which disappointed me a lot.
That is simply not the truth.
The narrator already knows what he believes, he has a solid opinion and at no point does he seem to be open to discussion and to actually listen to the people he interviews.
The so called documentary is just a way for the narrator to promote his ideas about certain matters. Whether I agree with him or not, he is just not doing what he said he would be doing, which disappointed me a lot.
- Stranger_Ironfoot
- Sep 26, 2022
- Permalink
Cringe
Came across this 'docu' accidentally, it turned out to be partisan bullocks. Rather than listening to interviewees,
Matt Walsh prefers to ridicule anybody that gives answer different to his expectations. He does it to prove his 'truth' as he calls it, though don't expect much of an explanation why this truth is so. Instead expect cringe compilation coming from guy for whom understanding anybody's point of view or emotions it too difficult. Maybe he watched Borat and thought it was a real documentary?
The Room kind of cringe is the prevailing emotion I've had watching it, it stems from that persistence to not understand another human being, if you are into that then go ahead.
Protip: read the reviews to check if you are ready for this kind of cringe.
The Room kind of cringe is the prevailing emotion I've had watching it, it stems from that persistence to not understand another human being, if you are into that then go ahead.
Protip: read the reviews to check if you are ready for this kind of cringe.
Powerful documentary
I've waited a long time to watch this, and finally got to it once it was made free for the weekend. They do such a good job interviewing so many different kinds of people. I was amazed how hard it was to get a simple answer for a simple question. It really opens your eyes about out world. I think that there's a lot of people leaving reviews but haven't actually watched the film. I do appreciate the thorough journalism and investigation with qualified individuals, people that are to really know about this subject. I think Matt Walsh and the team did a great job with this one, I look forward to seeing more of their work.
- bnoodles-45983
- Jun 4, 2023
- Permalink
Mirror of Society
Well-done, The Daily Wire. I appreciate the fact that the film wasn't so preachy, and that Matt Walsh barely even made any comments himself on the issue in the film. Instead, he let the movement speak for itself, which was profoundly more effective.
Whether you are left-wing or right-wing, and whether you agree with Matt or not, you can still appreciate this documentary because most of the speaking and content is being given by the people and movement the documentary is covering.
The most effective way to criticize or shine light on a part of society is to let it expose itself. "What is a Woman?" brilliantly does just that.
Whether you are left-wing or right-wing, and whether you agree with Matt or not, you can still appreciate this documentary because most of the speaking and content is being given by the people and movement the documentary is covering.
The most effective way to criticize or shine light on a part of society is to let it expose itself. "What is a Woman?" brilliantly does just that.
- DocZachary
- Jan 22, 2024
- Permalink
This highlights arguments I have had!
Circular logic and inconsistencies in logic are RAMPANT these days and this documentary puts that on blast! I cannot tell you how many times I have had arguments like the ones shown in this film and it is beautiful to see that it isn't just me going insane but that people really are just being illogical to the enth degree!
Great documentary
My respect for Matt Walsh has only increased. The fact that he could hold a straight face with these people and ask serious questions while they were giving such nonsense answers was impressive. I am impressive at the effort he made to track down so many experts and public figures to gain a wide sampling of opinions.
- sobczakcyndi
- Jun 1, 2022
- Permalink
Unbiased Review of this documentary
- Archer-wish
- Jul 14, 2022
- Permalink
Just asking questions? Or does it have no answers?
For a film that was meant to be the thesis statement for the American conservative movement's opposition to trans liberation, it is almost devoid of substance. There is no real discussion on the rather small body of literature on gender affirming care. The biased choice of interviewees causes the "owns" and "gotchas" to fall flat and makes it feel as though Matt Walsh is just trying to do his best impression of early 00's Daily Show interviews.
The frequent and convenient logical missteps to try and push forward its handful of arguments leaves much to be desired. Despite repeatedly stating that gender dysphoria is a mental illness the film makes ever effort to avoid acknowledging that transitioning is the treatment for that illness. Instead the audience is left with virtue signalling about mental illness rather than any exploration of how trans people can be helped. The film's failure to accomplish its goals is just another loss in the culture war for a political movement that has nothing to offer Americans. It becomes a stark reminder that Republican's hyper-focus on "trans-ideology" because they have no real ideas for leading a country.
The frequent and convenient logical missteps to try and push forward its handful of arguments leaves much to be desired. Despite repeatedly stating that gender dysphoria is a mental illness the film makes ever effort to avoid acknowledging that transitioning is the treatment for that illness. Instead the audience is left with virtue signalling about mental illness rather than any exploration of how trans people can be helped. The film's failure to accomplish its goals is just another loss in the culture war for a political movement that has nothing to offer Americans. It becomes a stark reminder that Republican's hyper-focus on "trans-ideology" because they have no real ideas for leading a country.
- alexacton-54569
- Jun 3, 2023
- Permalink