Is Will Ferrell’s Will & Harper based on true story? Explained

Will & Harper is a forthcoming Netflix documentary that's set to hit selected US cinemas on September 13, 2024. It will be available on Netflix starting September 27, 2024. Will & Harper first screened at the Sundance Film Festival in 2024. The film made headlines quickly with its tender portrayal of the friendship between Ferrell and Steele.

Framed within a cross-country road-tripping adventure, Will & Harper promises to delve into the ups and downs of Steele's transition into a trans woman and how the concept of gender identity reshapes long-standing bonds.

The documentary film is based on a true story. It follows the two friends through the emotional landscape of Steele's transition onto an unforgettable ride across America. The film represents a mix of reflection, humor, and social commentary in a unique way, and it has been directed by Josh Greenbaum.

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What is the plot of Will & Harper?

Will & Harper is based on the true friendship between comedian and actor Will Ferrell and writer Harper Steele, which has endured over three decades. The two built their connection in the Saturday Night Live writers' room. Back then, Steele was a writer and Ferrell had become one of SNL's most popular breakout stars.

In 2021, after years of uncertainty about her gender identity, Steele finally made the important decision to transition to a woman. She quickly called Ferrell to share the news, and their friendship grew even stronger.

This documentary follows the emotional road trip Steele and his friend took shortly after Steele transitioned. In it, recounting their evolving relationship, the two travel across the United States to reflect on cultural attitudes about gender, identity, and acceptance. Along the way, they also make stops at important places for in-depth and meaningful conversations.

This movie covers not only Steele's journey into her self but also Ferrell's acceptance of his lifelong friend in a different light. During the whole trip, both were questioning how Steele's transition was going to affect the way she is perceived in public, including Ferrell himself.

Ultimately, Will & Harper isn't a film about transitioning, it's a profound exploration in the name of love, loyalty, and growth. Steele's vulnerability and Ferrell's unwavering support provide an emotionally charged backbone to the documentary.

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The cast of Will & Harper

The documentary features Will Ferrell playing himself, bringing in comic brilliance and depth of character for which he is known across film and television. Will & Harper is quite different from most of the comedy material Will Ferrell would normally feature in, considering it puts him in a rather personal and reflective space.

Harper Steele, a very prolific writer who got to work with Ferrell at SNL, appears in the documentary alongside Ferrell. Having been in the business of writing for well over twenty years, she has often worked with Ferrell on some of his big projects. Some projects include starring as lead characters in films like Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga and The Spoils of Babylon.

In the documentary, Steele allows viewers to take a look into her journey of transition, as she opens up, discussing her fears, hopes, and emotive complications of transitioning at a later stage in her life.

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Will & Harper will be streaming on Netflix, starting on September 27, 2024.