Heightened Scrutiny

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Heightened Scrutiny

2025

1h 25m

Documentary

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Popcornmeter

91%

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11 Reviews

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0 Ratings

ACLU attorney Chase Strangio goes all the way to the Supreme Court to fight one of the greatest civil rights rollbacks in modern history. Chase, journalists, and activists battle anti-trans backlash amplified by biased reporting in this trenchant exploration of mainstream media's complicity, enabling a far-right takeover of democracy.

Drew Gregory

Autostraddle

As a trans person, there’s a comfort in hearing the facts laid out so clearly and with such feeling.

Feb 3, 2025

Full Review

Siddhant Adlakha

Variety

An immense amount of care and detail goes into its construction, deepening its use of traditional form and packing a powerful punch.

Feb 3, 2025

Full Review

Jacob Oller

AV Club

Sam Feder’s intimate film spreads out its purview to better understand how the nation took a hard turn against trans people.

Rated: B

Jan 29, 2025

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Mey Rude

Out Magazine

The film presents Strangio's arguments plainly and logically. If cis children have access to this healthcare, trans kids should, too. If doctors and parents want to do specific treatments, they know better than lawmakers and political talking heads.

Rated: A

Feb 7, 2025

Full Review

Matthew Creith

Next Best Picture

Chase’s preparation is mighty admirable, but an unresolved conclusion makes for a bit of a headache once the credits begin to roll on “Heightened Scrutiny.”

Rated: 5/10

Feb 7, 2025

Full Review

Pat Mullen

POV Magazine

While this immediacy to ongoing events inevitably means that it feels like an unfinished film, Heightened Scrutiny tees up an essential and accessible backgrounder for a pivotal moment.

Feb 3, 2025

Full Review

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Sam Feder

Director

Chase Strangio

Self

Amy Scholder

Producer

Sam Feder

Producer

Paola Mendoza

Producer

Laverne Cox

Executive Producer

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Synopsis

ACLU attorney Chase Strangio goes all the way to the Supreme Court to fight one of the greatest civil rights rollbacks in modern history. Chase, journalists, and activists battle anti-trans backlash amplified by biased reporting in this trenchant exploration of mainstream media's complicity, enabling a far-right takeover of democracy.

Director: Sam Feder
Producer: Amy Scholder, Sam Feder, Paola Mendoza
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 25m