Netflix’s Will & Harper is more than just a road trip; it’s an intimate journey through identity, friendship, and transition.
Exploring Friendship and Identity in Netflix’s Will & Harper
Netflix’s Will & Harper is more than just a road trip; it’s an intimate journey through identity, friendship, and transition. Directed by Emmy nominee Josh Greenbaum, this heartfelt documentary follows longtime friends Will Ferrell and Harper Steele as they navigate Steele’s gender transition during a cross-country trip.
A Unique Documentary Experience
Greenbaum, who shares a personal connection with both Ferrell and Steele, describes this project as an unusual documentary experience: “This is the first one where I knew my subjects prior.” The journey begins with Steele writing a letter to Ferrell after coming out, which inspires the concept for her first road trip since transitioning.
Friendship and Support
Ferrell offers to accompany her: “I’ll be there to be by your side, but at the same time, we can take this time to figure out what this transition means to our friendship and our relationship.”
As both are insiders in the entertainment industry, they felt the journey deserved to be captured on camera. Greenbaum emphasizes the trust needed: “What they were doing needed to feel like a safe space … they needed to be really open and vulnerable and have difficult conversations.”
Universal Themes
While the film centers on Steele’s transition, it explores broader, relatable themes. “It’s really ultimately a friendship… there are a lot of universal themes that we got to explore during the 17 days on the road,” Greenbaum explains.
A central idea is the strength of connection between friends. Steele acknowledges that the trip would have felt entirely different alone, especially with Ferrell, a beloved comedic figure, offering both support and inadvertently drawing attention. Greenbaum notes, “This is not the average trans person’s experience … it’s a double-edged sword. Yes, he can serve as a buffer, but he also attracts a lot of attention.”
Moments of Scrutiny
That attention brings moments of scrutiny — like the awkward Texas steakhouse scene where “all eyes in the restaurant are on Will and Harper.” Greenbaum adds, “Anyone who feels othered or ostracized… added attention is not always a good thing.”
A Turning Point
Halfway through, Harper ventures out solo, including a dive bar in Oklahoma. Greenbaum recalls entering first: “Smoke-filled room, Confederate flag, Trump signs … all telltale signs this might not be a welcome space for Harper.” Despite warnings, Harper insists on going in, “These are the places I like to hang out at and get a beer.”
This experience sparks a turning point. At a stock car race, Steele tearfully admits, “I think I’m starting to realize that I’m less concerned about everyone else hating me and more worried about me hating myself.” Greenbaum calls it “a powerful statement … one we all can relate to.”
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Lessons in Allyship
The documentary also offers a simple but profound lesson in allyship. “Will shows beautifully that being a good ally is not as complicated as we all make it. It’s just show up and listen, be there. Just be by someone’s side. It can be that simple.”
Creative Filming Techniques
Filming on the road posed challenges but also creative opportunities. Greenbaum strapped two cameras to the hood of Steele’s Jeep Grand Wagoneer, capturing “one of my favorite shots … both of them through the front windshield … a beautiful frame that lets the audience be the editor at times.”
This visual style complements the film’s focus on intimate conversations: “Sometimes looking at the listener, the one who’s not talking, is as interesting as looking at the person who’s speaking.”
The crew recorded over 250 hours of footage during the 17-day trip — distilled into a compact, moving story now streaming on Netflix.
Will & Harper has earned five Emmy nominations this year, including Best Documentary or Nonfiction Special.
This article and video are sponsored content by Netflix.
