Queenmaker: The Making of an It Girl

2023

1 hr. 23 min.

Documentary

List

83%

6 Reviews

Tomatometer

19%

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Audience Score

In the height of heiress-era NYC, an anonymous blogger infiltrated Manhattan's elite, bringing socialite celebrities to new heights; when the website's creator was unmasked, the mastermind was not who anybody expected.

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Rebecca B

I made an account just to review this doc. Terrible is too kind of a word. There is absolutely no structure to the documentary at all. The first part seems to follow the development of the gossip blogs, and then we get the plot twist of James now being Rose, and it all spirals out of control. Is Rose a victim of a system? Is she just delusional? It is hard to believe Rose's perspective when there is always the juxtaposition of someone saying they don't remember her after she tells an elaborate tale from her times in NYC. You can tell that the director clearly wants us to feel like Rose is empowered at the end, but in the end, all I felt was pity for her. The only person in the documentary that seems to come out looking like a mentally stable person is Tinsley. I wouldn't waste my time on this documentary, there are more interesting docs for free on YouTube.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/03/24

Full Review

I H

The beginning is a middling documentary on NYC it girls of the early 2000s but about 1/2 of the way through it gets consumed by this super bizarre story. Honestly, it's really sad, and I feel really bad that this kid had problems and ended up getting into some really bad stuff but I have no clue why this warrants a 1 1/2 hour documentary.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

11/09/23

Full Review

Wayne G

There are so many layers to unpack here when you look a little closer… A gentle unfolding of multiple truths in a way that is moving, sometimes shocking and deeply human. An interesting observation on the cost of chasing a dream, our heroes and happiness… Its difficult to put into words, but this is a journey I highly recommend taking. A nothing/everything story and definitely a journey I recommend taking.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/03/23

Full Review

Darryl B

As many others have put it, this is a documentary that is trying to tell too many tales. The first 20 minutes is a decent summary of the rise of NY modern socialites. I was hoping to find out more about, what role do social commentators/gossip columnist have post, the rise of reality shows like Real house wives of NYC and ‘The City' etc? But then to focus on a deeply troubled young person who had bankrupted their parents and turned to drugs and sex work, is a dark turn that is a completely different film. If the director wanted to do a documentary about a blogger who has transitioned, then that should have been the core thesis from the start. Give more context as to why they got so infatuated with NY socialites. Did they not know they were Trans as a teenager? Explore their journey properly. The segway into Rose's unveiling was clunky and and a complete break in the flow of the story telling.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

08/15/23

Full Review

Hannah C

If you're looking for a documentary about socialites, and the era of social media uprising that was so poignant and important in understanding where we're at now as a society, you'll be very confused as to why it switches halfway through to something unrelated. A disappointing selfish tale, unrelated to the beginning half of the programme.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

05/30/23

Full Review

TJ O

I'm surprised how bad rotten tomatoes is at posting movie reviews. I mean, this is your job. The documentary is what it is. I'm really just disappointed in the reviews.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

05/21/23

Full Review

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Zackary Drucker

Director

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Ty Burr

Ty Burr's Watch List

What has been a glitzy documentary about glitz becomes something far more resonant, profoundly sad, and, in the end, weirdly uplifting.

May 21, 2023

Full Review

Chris Vognar

Rolling Stone

Rose’s story and its past connection to the celebrity world of status and image open up a world of ideas regarding identity -- its symbolism, its fluidity, and its very meaning.

May 17, 2023

Full Review

Glenn Kenny

New York Times

The sleight of hand Drucker uses... delivers its particulars with a wallop. And the finale is as compassionate as it is sad and unnerving.

May 17, 2023

Full Review

Radhika Menon

Decider

The documentary tries to tell too many stories and ends up not telling any of them completely.

May 17, 2023

Full Review

Coleman Spilde

The Daily Beast

Though certainly disappointing, the film is still a uniquely mystifying look at a bygone era that will satisfy those who were steeped in its libelous thrills.

May 17, 2023

Full Review

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Synopsis

In the height of heiress-era NYC, an anonymous blogger infiltrated Manhattan's elite, bringing socialite celebrities to new heights; when the website's creator was unmasked, the mastermind was not who anybody expected.

Director: Zackary Drucker
Distributor: Hulu
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): May 17, 2023

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