They/Them Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Teens at a gay conversion camp discover that the *real* monster… is a totally different, also kind of boring, monster.

🍿 They/Them: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Arrival at Whistler Camp

A group of LGBTQ+ teenagers arrives at Whistler Camp, a gay conversion camp run by Owen Whistler and his wife, Dr. Cora Whistler. The teens are a mix of personalities and identities, each with their own reasons for being there, often under pressure from family or society. The camp initially presents a welcoming facade, but subtle hints of the oppressive atmosphere begin to emerge.

Psychological Manipulation

The campers are subjected to unsettling psychological techniques designed to ‘correct’ their sexual orientations and gender identities. These methods include group therapy sessions, exercises meant to enforce gender norms, and individual counseling sessions that delve into their personal traumas. The campers begin to bond with each other as they find solidarity in their shared experiences and resistance against the camp’s methods.

Rising Tension and Suspicion

As the camp’s true nature becomes increasingly clear, tensions rise among the campers and the staff. Molly, a camp counselor, starts to question the camp’s methods and becomes an ally to the campers. A series of mysterious events and disappearances creates an atmosphere of fear and paranoia, suggesting that a more sinister force is at play beyond the psychological manipulation.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Owen Whistler (Kevin Bacon): The charismatic but sinister owner and operator of Whistler, a gay conversion camp.
• Jordan (Theo Germaine): A trans non-binary camper attending Whistler, who is skeptical and resistant to the camp’s methods.
• Cora Whistler (Carrie Preston): Owen’s wife and a doctor at Whistler, who uses psychological techniques on the campers.
• Molly (Anna Chlumsky): A sympathetic camp counselor who uncovers the disturbing truths about Whistler.
• Alexandra (Quei Tann): A trans woman attending the camp for conversion therapy.
• Toby (Austin Crute): A flamboyant and outgoing gay camper attending Whistler.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Owen: “At Whistler, the first person you have to accept is yourself.” – Owen says this line to the campers to try and create a welcoming environment, but it is ultimately a facade.
• Jordan: “I’m not broken.” – Jordan says this to show they are strong and don’t need fixing.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 They/Them Reviews

Personal Review

I went into this expecting a fun, cheesy slasher, and what I got was… weird. The first half is all about the horrors of conversion therapy, which is definitely important, but then it suddenly shifts gears and tries to be a slasher flick. It just didn’t quite work for me, I was left feeling confused about what it was even trying to be.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of horror films with social commentary”
  • “Viewers interested in LGBTQ+ representation in media”
  • “Those who appreciate suspenseful thrillers with a message”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Scenes of psychological manipulation”
  • “Discussion and depictions of conversion therapy”
  • “Violence and slasher elements”
  • “Male rear nudity”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “They/Them fails to deliver on its promise of a campy slasher, offering instead a tonally inconsistent and ultimately unsatisfying experience. The social commentary is heavy-handed, and the scares are few and far between.
• IMDB: “The movie does have slasher elements to it but they’re mostly secondary while the primary plot is based around the oppressive atmosphere and psychological unease serving as the primary source of terror in the film. The movie gets the atmosphere just right as Whistler Camp while welcoming on the surface is eventually revealed to be an oppressive place of surveillance, coercion, bullying, and sadism with the each of the camp staff carrying some level of ugliness to themselves that manifests throughout.

Audience Reactions

Some viewers appreciated the movie’s attempt to address the harmful effects of conversion camps.: Those who enjoyed it felt the movie made a valid social commentary

Many were disappointed with the slasher elements, finding them tacked-on and uninspired.: Viewers overwhelmingly felt the slasher aspects were unnecessary

Overall Consensus: They/Them is a well-intentioned movie that struggles to balance its serious subject matter with its slasher ambitions, ultimately falling short of both goals. Many found it tonally inconsistent.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The title of the film is pronounced “They Slash Them.””
• “Blumhouse Productions produced the film, known for horror movies with social commentary.”
• “The film explores themes of identity, acceptance, and the dangers of conversion therapy.”

🖥️ How to Watch They/Them?

They/Them is currently streaming on Peacock. Check Peacock’s website for subscription options. As of now, the film is not available for purchase on platforms like Prime Video or Apple TV, but keep an eye out for potential future releases on these platforms.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed They/Them, you might like these similar films:

• But I’m a Cheerleader (1999): Deals with themes of LGBTQ+ identity and conversion therapy in a satirical way.
• Get Out (2017): A horror film that blends social commentary with suspense and thriller elements.
• A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984): Classic slasher in camp setting.

🛒 They/Them Related Products

• Funko Pop! Movies: Friday the 13th – Jason Voorhees: Pay homage to the horror genre with this Jason Voorhees Funko Pop, an embodiment of slasher-movie terror. Vinyl figure stands approximately 3.75 inches tall and comes in a window display box, an ideal collectible for any horror fan to add to their collection.
• Horror Movie Character Socks 5 Pack – Officially Licensed: Show off your scary side with officially licensed socks featuring horror movie characters Jason Voorhees, Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger, Ghost Face and Pennywise. One size fits most.

🎧 Soundtrack

They/Them features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Ain’t No Man” – performed by The Avett Brothers

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Well That Backfired For They/Them

Ever wondered if a movie’s message landed the way it was intended? This video dives into the reactions to ‘They/Them’ and, let’s just say, some found it a bit off-target. Check it out and see if you agree!

✨ Rate