JT LeRoy (2018)

dir Justin Kelly

Originally watched on August 30, 2026.

Picturing them pitching the script to Kristen and she’s like “no way, man” so they tell her Laura Dern signed on and she’s like “fine, okay”. She signs on. Then they go to Laura and pitch the project and she’s like “hmmm I’m going to have to pass” so they tell her Kristen Stewart signed on and she’s like “fine, okay”. She signs on. Lmao

For real, though. This thing was strung together by a $50 wig budget (very possibly less) and a dream. The whole JT LeRoy thing was such a mess. It’s a pretty juicy story. Truth is stranger than fiction and all that. No one could’ve done it but Kristen, though, they had that right. Well, maybe Jack Haven.

Which actually brings me to my next point: even though this is the most ridiculous bland film, like, ever, it was a surprisingly apt follow up to Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma. Let me attempt to explain…

In Camp Miasma, Billy teaches Kris to tap into Little Death, encouraging her with the reminder that it’s only pretend. She can always turn it off. In JT Leroy, Laura teaches Savannah the same thing in nearly the same way (less orgasms maybe). Both stories dive into the need for permission/justification before you can evolve into yourself-

Billy led Kris to orgasming and dying

Laura led Sav to writing and expressing their gender. Period!

Who creates the stories? Where do the stories come from? Who writes the stories? Does a person come up with an idea from scratch or does the idea already exist, does it search for the right host, someone who will understand its value and let it take over them until it erupts?