Coming out of the same studio that gave us RuPaul's Drag Race, and stacked with a whole crew of former contestants, Stop! That! Train! plays like RuPaul basically taking a bow for the entire franchise she's built. It's not really a gay film in the traditional sense, but with so many drag stars from Ru's shows popping up alongside a few cameos from well known out gay actors, I figured it earns a spot on this blog anyway. The whole thing is completely over the top, packed with GenZ slang, loud flashy visuals, and humor that's constantly winking at you knowing how ridiculous it is. Going in you'd assume it's meant to be a laugh riot, and a lot of critics online seem to be eating it up, but I just couldn't get into it at all. I've never really been someone who vibes with campy silly stuff like this, so honestly my reaction doesn't surprise me one bit. The setup follows Tess and DeeDee, two low level stewardesses who sneak onto the fancy Glamazonian E...
The story is mostly about three people. It focuses on Darcy, a 24-year-old trans man who goes to see his mother, Nora, at her quiet house in the country. They haven't been close for a long time. When he gets there, he finds a ghost named Dee, who is actually Darcy’s younger self from before he transitioned. Both Nora and Darcy can see her. Nora likes having the ghost around because she feels like she has her daughter back. But Darcy is really struggling because he doesn't want to be forced to look at his old self. Dee isn't very nice to Darcy for living as a man, and Darcy definitely doesn't want to be reminded of his past. It’s like his inner struggle has become a real ghost under the hot Australian sun. While this happens, Nora is trying to learn how to see Darcy as her son, and there is still a lot of tension between them. Dee represents a time before Darcy was even thinking about transitioning. When he and Nora fight, it seems like Dee is just a version of what his mom wants him to be. That feels true in some ways, but Dee is also a part of a past that Darcy isn't ready to face yet.
This show is a very sweet and unique way to look at families and how relationships can get stuck. It’s wonderful to see trans men being represented and having their stories told. Even though she means well, Nora still has a lot of work to do. Maybe that is why Dee showed up in the first place? The show is smart and keeps you watching to see the mystery and the emotions get solved. Holding onto the past is something that only hurts you. Nora is hurting herself because she won't give in to these new feelings. As the short episodes go on, there is a tug-of-war between Darcy and Dee. Since it’s a battle between the present and the past, it feels like there can only be one real winner. It’s about learning to accept the history between you and your family and being okay with it. It’s about feeling like a whole person again and knowing there is no shame in who you are. The actor playing Darcy does a great job of showing his gentle but struggling side. Dee isa free-spirited, who for whatever reason wasn't happy to see herself in Darcy form (I'm still a bit confused about that).
This might not be for everyone, but you can’t deny that it’s something very original and different. Overall, it’s a good story about coming home. It deals with family problems that were never fixed and a mother’s journey as she learns to let go of who her son used to be so she can love who he is now. (7/10)
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