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Documentary

Will & Harper (2024): Cast & Ratings

Will & Harper (2024) movie poster

Will & Harper is a 2024 documentary directed by Josh Greenbaum, starring Will Ferrell and Andrew Steele. It runs 1 hour 54 minutes. It earned 4 award nominations, including Best Song at the Critics' Choice 2025. Critics gave it 74 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.4/10.

IMDb rating
7.4/10
award nominations
4
Echo Score
75
Metascore
74
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Will & Harper (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 54m (114 min)
Director
Josh Greenbaum
Genre
Documentary
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Will & Harper About?

The premise of Will & Harper without spoilers.

Two lifelong friends embark on a cross-country journey as one of them decides to live authentically as a transgender woman. The trip becomes a heartfelt exploration of identity, acceptance, and the strength of their enduring connection, set against the backdrop of the American landscape.

Will & Harper Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • road trip
  • cross country journey
  • comedy writer
  • dunkin' donuts
  • transgender
  • reference to saturday night live
  • male friendship
  • los angeles california
  • road movie
  • united states of america
  • california
  • trona california
+38 more
  • mojave desert
  • changing identity
  • gender transition
  • mid life crisis
  • coming out as transgender
  • changing name
  • couple
  • parent
  • cross country
  • life
  • breakfast
  • iowa
  • blizzard
  • breakfast in a diner
  • e mail
  • riding a unicycle
  • fireworks store
  • camping chair
  • singing karaoke
  • peoria illinois
  • video call
  • montage
  • dinner table
  • indianapolis indiana
  • childhood home
  • father daughter relationship
  • transgender person
  • jeep wagoneer
  • beech grove indiana
  • basketball game
  • washington d.c.
  • state governor
  • parent grown child relationship
  • travel montage
  • audition tape
  • sister sister relationship
  • saturday night live
  • trans person
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Cast & crew

Will & Harper Cast

Will Ferrell leads the cast, with Andrew Steele. Directed by Josh Greenbaum.

From the director

More from Josh Greenbaum

More films directed by Josh Greenbaum, best-rated first: Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar, Becoming Bond, The Short Game and Strays.

Full filmography
Ratings

Will & Harper Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Will & Harper 74 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in art & craft (60).

75 /100

Will & Harper Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, Will & Harper delivers a heartfelt exploration of friendship and identity that balances emotional depth with an accessible tone. The film’s road-trip framework frames genuine moments of vulnerability and empathy, although several critics noted a sense of artificiality in its documentary style and intermittent pacing issues. Performances by the leads anchor the narrative, and the journey’s themes of acceptance resonate throughout. Ultimately, it feels sincere yet occasionally uneven in execution.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 60

    In terms of Art & Craft, the film’s direction and production design evoke a polished documentary style that sometimes reads as overly constructed. Several observers pointed to a well-funded aesthetic that undercuts authenticity, while editing choices maintain a tidy flow. The restrained cinematography proves competent, though it seldom surprises or elevates the visual experience.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to Character & Emotion, the leads exhibit strong chemistry and nuanced performances that drive the film’s emotional core. Critics and audiences alike praised the authentic interactions between Will and Harper, highlighting moments of vulnerability and empathy. The supporting appearances enrich the journey without overshadowing the protagonists. Overall, the emotional resonance remains the film’s most compelling attribute.

  • Story & Flow 75

    In terms of Story & Flow, the road-trip structure offers an engaging framework for exploring themes of friendship and acceptance. The narrative generally maintains coherence through varied encounters, though several comments noted occasional repetition of themes and a pacing that can stall during earnest dialogue. Despite these lulls, the original concept and thematic arc sustain interest across the journey.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    When it comes to Sensory Experience, the film adopts a restrained documentary aesthetic with minimal emphasis on a distinctive soundtrack or dynamic sound design. Critics observed that the visual cohesion reflects a polished yet conventional approach, and the soundscape remains functional rather than immersive. Overall, the sensory elements support the narrative without creating a vivid atmospheric dimension.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    In terms of Rewatch Factor, the film’s emotional core and authentic character moments encourage subsequent viewings. The heartfelt performances and thematic depth offer fresh resonance on repeated watch, though uneven pacing and intermittent humor may temper the urge to revisit frequently. Overall, the journey retains a durable appeal for audiences drawn to its empathetic perspective.

Awards

Will & Harper Awards & Nominations

Will & Harper earned 4 award nominations, including Best Song at the Critics' Choice 2025. The 4 nominations come from 4 ceremonies.

4 nominations4 ceremonies

Videos

Will & Harper Trailers & Videos

6 videos: 1 trailer and 5 featurettes.

All 6 videos
Official Trailer
  • Featurette 'Will & Harper' with Will Ferrell, Harper Steele & Josh Greenbaum | Academy Conversations
  • Featurette Will Ferrell and Harper Steele on Will & Harper | BFI Q&A
  • Featurette Will Ferrell and Harper Steele play the BFF Challenge
  • Featurette Making Will & Harper with Will Ferrell, Harper Steele and Director Josh Greenbaum
Details

Will & Harper Also Known As

23 alternative titles, including “Will and Harper” and “윌 & 하퍼”.

Also known as
  • Will and Harper
  • 윌 & 하퍼
  • 윌과 하퍼
  • ويل وهاربر
  • Will & Harper:老友公路遊
  • 威尔与哈珀:老友公路游
  • 威爾與哈珀:老友公路遊
  • Will a Harper
  • Will ja Harper
  • Will et Harper
  • Γουίλ και Χάρπερ
  • ויל והרפר: יוצאים לדרך
+11 more
  • Will és Harper
  • ウィル&ハーパー
  • Will i Harper
  • Will e Harper
  • Will și Harper
  • Will y Harper
  • วิลกับฮาร์เปอร์ คู่ซี้ท่องอเมริกา
  • Will ve Harper
  • Вілл і Гарпер
  • Уилл и Харпер
  • Vilas ir Harper

Seen Will & Harper?

FAQ

Will & Harper FAQ: Cast, Awards & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Will & Harper, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Will & Harper?

Will & Harper runs 1 hour 54 minutes (114 minutes).

When was Will & Harper released?

Will & Harper was released on September 13, 2024.

Who directed Will & Harper?

Will & Harper was directed by Josh Greenbaum.

More films by Josh Greenbaum

Who is in the cast of Will & Harper?

Will & Harper stars Will Ferrell and Andrew Steele.

How is Will & Harper rated?

Will & Harper has 7.4/10 on IMDb, 74 on Metacritic and 73% on TMDB.

Was Will & Harper nominated for any awards?

Will & Harper received 4 nominations across 4 ceremonies.

Does Will & Harper have a post-credit scene?

No. Will & Harper has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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