The Stroll (2023): Ratings & Plot
The Stroll is a 2023 documentary directed by Kristen Lovell and Zackary Drucker. It runs 1 hour 24 minutes. Critics gave it 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 24m (84 min)
- Directors
- Kristen Lovell and Zackary Drucker
- Genre
- Documentary
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- HBO Documentary
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Stroll About?
The premise of The Stroll without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
This powerful documentary explores the lives of transgender sex workers in New York City's Meatpacking District. Through their personal stories, the film sheds light on the challenges they face, including police brutality and the impact of gentrification. It reveals a courageous fight for transgender rights and highlights the resilience of a community navigating significant obstacles in a rapidly changing neighborhood.
The Stroll Themes & Keywords
· 9 tags- transgender prostitute
- transgender
- transgender woman
- sex worker
- new york
- prostitution
- prostitute
- social documentary
- trans history
The Director of The Stroll
Directed by Kristen Lovell and Zackary Drucker.
- Co-director Kristen Lovell
- Co-director Zackary Drucker
More from Kristen Lovell and Zackary Drucker
More films directed by Kristen Lovell and Zackary Drucker: Enigma, Queenmaker: The Making of an It Girl and Mother Comes to Venus.
The Stroll Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Stroll 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 85/100, strongest in character & emotion (86) and weakest in story & flow (75).
The Stroll Echo Score Breakdown
The Stroll delivers a compelling documentary portrait of transgender sex workers in New York’s Meatpacking District, anchored by authentic testimonies and purposeful direction. Critics emphasize its technical achievement and the directors’ intimate involvement, which lend credibility and emotional weight. Viewers respond to the nuanced oral history, noting both its educational value and its capacity to elicit empathy. While a minority find parts overly broad, the consensus highlights the film’s lasting relevance, making it a noteworthy addition to contemporary documentary cinema.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 82
In terms of direction and visual execution, the film benefits from the co‑directors’ intimate involvement, which yields clear, purposeful framing and an understated color palette. Critics note the technical achievement and raw archival footage that reinforce the narrative’s authenticity. While some viewers describe parts as slightly “pasteurized,” the overall craftsmanship remains solid and enhances the documentary’s impact. The artistic execution therefore rates strongly.
- Character & Emotion 86
When it comes to character and emotional depth, the interviews are presented with genuine openness, allowing subjects to reveal personal fears and triumphs. Reviewers highlight the chemistry among the participants and the directors’ ability to elicit heartfelt testimony. The audience perceives a nuanced portrayal that balances hardship with humor, fostering empathy. This results in a high character rating.
- Story & Flow 75
Regarding story and flow, the documentary structures its oral history into a coherent arc that guides viewers through a hazardous yet liberating era. Critics praise its originality in spotlighting an overlooked community, although one outlet finds it occasionally broad and detached. The pacing generally maintains engagement, with moments of measured reflection. Overall, the narrative demonstrates strong, if not flawless, cohesion.
- Sensory Experience 80
In terms of sensory experience, the film incorporates vivid archival photographs and a restrained soundtrack that complement its visual style. Reviewers comment on the raw yet tender aesthetic, which underscores the subject matter without overwhelming it. Though some viewers note a lack of cinematic flair, the sound design and editing support the documentary’s contemplative tone. Consequently, the sensory elements are effective and earn a solid score.
- Rewatch Factor 78
Assessing rewatch factor, the documentary’s emotional resonance and educational value encourage repeated viewings. Critics describe it as vital, timeless work that sheds light on a marginalized history, and many users found it moving and thought‑provoking. Dissenting opinions are few and largely stem from personal dislike rather than content quality. The film’s lasting appeal and capacity to inspire further discussion suggest strong rewatch potential.
-
IMDb 7.2 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 95% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 68%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 76 Metascore
User score 6.3
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 65% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 4.0 /5
4464 ratings
See on Letterboxd
The Stroll Plot Summary
What happens in The Stroll from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
When Director Kristen Lovell relocated to New York City during the 1990s, she faced an unexpected upheaval after being fired from her job because of her transition. Much like numerous transgender women of color of that time, survival led her to become a sex worker in the Meatpacking District, a vibrant neighborhood in lower Manhattan. Here, trans women gathered in an area known as “The Stroll,” forming a powerful bond of camaraderie that protected them from the constant threat of harassment and violence.
Full summary
The whole story of The Stroll, scene by scene
The Stroll Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Stroll.
How Well Do You Know The Stroll?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
In which decade does Kristen Lovell recount her own journey of self-discovery?
The Stroll Also Known As
5 alternative titles, including “The Stroll: As Trabalhadoras da Rua 14” and “Promenáda”.
- Also known as
-
- The Stroll: As Trabalhadoras da Rua 14
- Promenáda
- Przechadzka
- The Stroll: Las Trabajadoras de la Calle 14
- ข้ามกำแพงเพศ
Seen The Stroll?
Movies Like The Stroll
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including I Hate New York, The Trans List and The Strip Game.
The Stroll FAQ: Runtime, Release Date & Director
Runtime, release date, director, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Stroll, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Stroll?
The Stroll runs 1 hour 24 minutes (84 minutes).
When was The Stroll released?
The Stroll was released on June 21, 2023.
Who directed The Stroll?
The Stroll was directed by Kristen Lovell and Zackary Drucker.
More films by Kristen Lovell How is The Stroll rated?
The Stroll has 7.2/10 on IMDb, 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, 76 on Metacritic and 65% on TMDB.
Does The Stroll have a post-credit scene?
No. The Stroll has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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