Will Ferrell has stoked fan controversy by admitting that his new Netflix documentary about his transgender friend was intentionally released before the election.
The Netflix movie ‘Will & Harper’ follows famous comedian and his best friend Harper Steele on a cross-country road trip after the latter comes out as a trans woman.
It captures the trials and tribulations the duo faced when Steele transitioned later in life and Ferrell was reintroduced to his friend.
“When we sat down with Netflix we made it clear that we wanted this to come out before the election,” Ferrell said. Variety.
‘We wanted it to have enough runway that people could watch it and hopefully start having important discussions in their living rooms.
Will Ferrell insisted that his new documentary about the famous comedian and his transgender best friend Harper Steele (left) on a cross-country trip be released before Election Day.
Transgender issues are a hot topic this presidential election season between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.
“We’ve heard from people who say they can’t wait to watch this with friends and family who may not share the same point of view and they can’t wait to watch it all together.”
The decision left fans divided, with some saying Ferrell was out of touch because he thought conversations about trans rights are a priority for the average American this election season.
‘Important discussions? More like distractions from reality,” one person said.
‘Most Americans aren’t “having discussions” about things like this. They’re talking about sports, cost of living, work, hobbies, or who’s dating who. “The only people who are obsessed with trans people are trans activists,” said another.
The film captures the trials and tribulations the duo faced as Steele transitioned later in life and Ferrell was reintroduced to his friend.
Others felt the actor was coming from a good place, but missed the mark with his intentions.
‘I love Ferrell and fully support them both, trans people and acceptance and inclusion. I don’t think this doctor is moving the needle much,’ one person said.
‘It’s great that Ferrell supports his friend. Ferrell does not have daughters. ‘You really shouldn’t be telling those of us who don’t want trans women sharing (invading) our women-only spaces with our daughters (or us) how we should feel about it,’ said another.
Some said the film sparked debates about keeping biological men out of women’s spaces.
‘Yes, about how we should protect women’s spaces and sports from predatory men. If they “feel like women,” they can dialogue with other men in masculine spaces,” said one person.
“I can’t wait to have a meaningful discussion about how a privileged white man is telling women and girls that men shouldn’t bother them in their spaces,” said another.
There were other viewers who supported Ferrell’s decisions and agreed that it was important to see the film before Election Day.
‘I’m totally in favor of this! Humor can break down barriers and make difficult topics more accessible. “I’m excited to see how you approach these important discussions,” one person said.
‘Will Ferrell continues to get better and better as a human being. The power of television to change mentalities is something that many people dismiss,” said a second person.
