18 Films Where Trans Characters Exist Without the Movie Being “About” Being Trans

Representation in cinema has evolved significantly over the decades to include more diverse voices and stories. Modern filmmaking increasingly features transgender characters whose narratives are not defined solely by their gender identity or medical transition. These films showcase trans individuals in genres ranging from horror and sci-fi to comedy and action without making their existence the central conflict. The focus remains on the plot and character development rather than explaining their identity to the audience.

‘Dog Day Afternoon’ (1975)

Al Pacino stars in this crime drama based on a real bank robbery that turns into a media circus. The motivation behind the heist involves obtaining funds for the protagonist’s partner, Leon Shermer, to undergo gender confirmation surgery. Leon appears as a complex figure who is already living as a woman and interacts with the police during the hostage negotiations. While her identity sparks the initial crime, the film primarily focuses on the tense standoff and the unraveling of the robbery plan.

‘The World According to Garp’ (1982)

This adaptation of John Irving’s novel features Roberta Muldoon, a transgender woman and former tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles. Roberta is a close friend and protector of the protagonist, Garp, and lives at the calm center of a chaotic story. John Lithgow received an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of this sensitive and grounded character. Her narrative arc involves friendship and loyalty rather than a fixation on her past transition.

‘The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’ (1994)

Bernadette Bassenger is a transgender woman who joins two drag queens on a road trip across the Australian Outback. Played by Terence Stamp, Bernadette is the most level-headed and dignified member of the trio. She has already transitioned and left her old life behind long before the film begins. The story focuses on their journey, their performances, and the bond they form while traveling in their lavender bus.

‘Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil’ (1997)

The Lady Chablis plays herself in this mystery drama directed by Clint Eastwood. She serves as a charismatic and witty local figure who helps the protagonist navigate the eccentric social scene of Savannah, Georgia. Her presence is commanding and humorous, stealing every scene she is in without her gender being the source of tragedy. Chablis acts as a key witness in the murder trial that drives the plot.

‘Tokyo Godfathers’ (2003)

This animated feature by Satoshi Kon follows three homeless people who discover an abandoned newborn on Christmas Eve. One of the protagonists is Hana, a transgender woman who yearns to be a mother and insists on caring for the child. The group embarks on a chaotic quest through Tokyo to find the baby’s parents. Hana’s identity informs her maternal instincts but the film is an adventure about family and redemption.

‘Seed of Chucky’ (2004)

The killer doll franchise introduces Glen, the child of Chucky and Tiffany, who grapples with their identity. Glen is a gentle soul who does not want to kill, while their alter ego Glenda has a taste for violence. The character eventually identifies as genderfluid, embracing both sides of their soul. The movie is a horror-comedy that uses this dynamic for campy humor and family drama rather than a serious examination of gender.

‘Colette’ (2018)

Keira Knightley stars as the famous French author, but the film also features the historical figure Mathilde de Morny, known as Missy. Missy was a gender non-conforming noble who lived openly as a man in 19th-century Paris and had a relationship with Colette. The film depicts Missy as a confident and supportive partner who encourages Colette’s independence. Missy’s presentation is treated with respect and historical accuracy within the period drama.

‘Assassination Nation’ (2018)

This satirical thriller focuses on four high school girls who become targets when a data hack exposes the secrets of their town. Bex is one of the core group members and is a transgender girl navigating high school romance and violence. She fights alongside her friends when the town descends into chaos and mob rule. Her storyline includes a romantic subplot, but her primary role is that of a survivor in a violent slasher narrative.

‘Bit’ (2019)

Laurel is a transgender teenage girl who moves to Los Angeles and falls in with a gang of intersectional feminist vampires. She is turned into a vampire and must learn to navigate her new immortal life and the strict rules of the coven. The film explores themes of power and morality within the vampire genre. Laurel’s trans identity is acknowledged but her main struggle is choosing between her humanity and her new vampiric nature.

‘Hellraiser’ (2022)

The reboot of the classic horror franchise features Jamie Clayton as the Priest, commonly known as Pinhead. This iteration of the iconic Cenobite is an infernal being who serves the puzzle box and demands suffering. Clayton brings an ethereal and terrifying presence to the role of the lead antagonist. The character is a supernatural entity beyond human gender concepts, making the casting a seamless fit for the horror universe.

‘Wendell & Wild’ (2022)

This stop-motion animation from Henry Selick and Jordan Peele features a character named Raúl. He is a transgender boy at a Catholic boarding school who befriends the protagonist, Kat. Raúl helps Kat fight against her personal demons and the literal demons invading their town. His identity is established naturally through dialogue and visual design without becoming the central conflict of the fantasy adventure.

‘A Man Called Otto’ (2022)

Malcolm is a young transgender man who delivers newspapers in the neighborhood where the grumpy protagonist Otto lives. He forms an unexpected friendship with Otto, who helps him fix a bike and eventually offers him driving lessons. Malcolm is accepted by the neighbors and becomes part of the community that softens Otto’s heart. His character serves as a symbol of the younger generation’s resilience and kindness.

‘Talk to Me’ (2022)

Hayley is a character in this Australian supernatural horror film about a group of friends who conjure spirits using an embalmed hand. Played by Zoe Terakes, Hayley is the assertive host of the parties where the possessions take place. The character’s gender is incidental to the plot, which focuses on the terrifying consequences of the rituals. Hayley is a driving force in the group dynamic and the horror elements of the story.

‘Evil Dead Rise’ (2023)

Danny is one of the three siblings living in a dilapidated Los Angeles apartment complex when the Necronomicon is unleashed. He is a DJ and a caring brother who tries to protect his family from the Deadites. The character is played by Morgan Davies, and while Danny is a trans man, the film focuses entirely on his survival against demonic forces. He is a central figure in the gory and intense horror action.

‘Barbie’ (2023)

Doctor Barbie is one of the many Barbies residing in Barbieland, a matriarchal utopia where women hold all positions of power. She is a cheerful and successful physician who participates in the governance and social life of the community. Her presence reinforces the film’s message that Barbie can be anything. The character exists happily within the colorful, plastic world without any need for explanation.

‘Nimona’ (2023)

The titular character is a shapeshifter who insists on being a sidekick to a disgraced knight in a futuristic medieval world. Nimona fights against a restrictive society that fears anyone who is different or fluid in their nature. While the character is a shapeshifting monster, the themes of fluidity and non-conformity serve as a strong allegory for the trans experience. The plot is an action-packed fantasy adventure about exposing corruption and finding acceptance.

‘Joy Ride’ (2023)

Deadeye is an eccentric K-pop stan who joins their cousin and friends on a chaotic trip to China. They are non-binary and provide much of the comedic relief and heart during the group’s misadventures. Deadeye’s journey involves connecting with their online friends and finding their own kind of community. The film is a raunchy buddy comedy where Deadeye’s identity is just one facet of their quirky personality.

‘Monkey Man’ (2024)

This action revenge thriller features a group of Hijra, a recognized third gender in Indian culture, who live in a hidden temple. They save the protagonist after a near-fatal fight and help him train for his final confrontation with the corrupt elite. The leader of the group, Alpha, becomes a warrior ally who fights alongside the hero. They are depicted as a powerful and spiritual community that plays a crucial role in the revolution.

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