Johan Logan’s directorial debut gives away its premise with its pretty self-explanatory title, pronounced as they-slash-them. The film is a unique LGBTQ thriller that points at the dangers of conversion therapy.
The film begins with a thrilling sequence and some scenes are definitely thought-provoking. But for the most part, the film failed to impress me because of its lack of focus and jumbled storytelling.
If you wish to know more about the film and whether it’s worth a watch, continue reading. Hopefully, I can help out.
Plot
They/Them is a LGBTQ thriller, serial-killer drama which follows a group of teenagers and young adults who are targeted by a masked serial killer after they arrive at a conversion camp called Whistler Camp.
The conversion camp we’re introduced to is run by Owen Whistler, who promises that the camp will be a “safe space”. Ironically, he wants the members to feel a sense of gender normativity but only if they want to. They will not be forcefully converted.
However, as expected, it is all a sham. The film throws light upon the dangers of conversion therapy and depicts the ill effects of such therapy on children. Scenes feature Owen belittling teenagers for their sexuality, refusing to call them by their preferred pronouns and forcing transpeople to sleep in heteronormative compartments.
Meanwhile, a serial killer is on the loose in the woods, who targets certain members in the conversion camp. There’s a twist in the end, but I wouldn’t say it was too unpredictable.
Visuals, Direction, and Screenplay
The screenplay seems to be pretty out of place, and the writers seem to be confused about the genre of their film. The film begins by teasing a serial killer with gender-neutral fashion sense on the loose, but the arc completely disappears for the next hour of the film.
While several scenes are pretty disturbing and we see queer characters face extremely uncomfortable situations, they do not have a lasting impact. The script lacks character development, which is why we’re hardly able to connect with any character or their struggles.
The premise is unique and tries to deliver a strong message, which is done well. However, the idea of a work of fiction is to be watchable and enjoyable as well, rather than just delivering a much-needed social message.
There’s not much to say about the visuals and music, since it doesn’t play a big part in such a film. For a thriller of such kind, the screenplay is of utmost importance. For They/Them, it becomes the film’s biggest weakness.
Detailed Review
They/Them offers a unique premise and concept, and acknowledges the relationship between race and gender. It is a significant step in terms of delivering a message. The horrors of conversion therapy are well-depicted and the film does make you think about them.
However, some scenes could have been way better and more character development could have helped in creating a much-need connection with the characters. For the most part, the film falters when it tries to become a whodunnit, while also trying to deliver a social message.
As a whodunnit, They/Them remains half-baked and amateurish. The climax remains largely unimpressive and tries hard to create a twist, which does not create the required effect. There’s no tension and the film lacks suspense throughout its course.
The film does well in terms of depicting LGBTQ characters, but the characters end up becoming nothing more than their sexuality, which in itself is a problem of queer depiction in popular media. They/Them makes the same mistake, and further it remains unimpressive even as a serial killer mystery.
All in all, They/Them is a pretty mediocre attempt at making a whodunnit. You could skip it, in my opinion, unless you are looking for good representation and diversity only.
About They/Them
They/Them is a 2022 American slasher film written and directed by John Logan, in his feature directorial debut, and produced by Jason Blum through his Blumhouse Productions banner.
It stars Theo Germaine, Carrie Preston, Anna Chlumsky, Austin Crute, Quei Tann, Anna Lore, Cooper Koch, Monique Kim, Darwin del Fabro, Hayley Griffith, Boone Platt, Mark Ashworth, and Kevin Bacon, and follows a group of LGBTQ teens who are targeted by a masked killer while attending a conversion camp.
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