Adam’s Apple Documentary Review: Trans Youth’s Journey to Self-Discovery

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The saying ‘fear of the unknown’ seems particularly relevant when considering the relationship between conservatives and transgender people. Transgender individuals are currently facing a growing number of harsh laws that threaten their basic rights – a recent Kansas law, for example, demands people with gender markers on their IDs surrender them to the state, echoing the dangerous language used against Jewish people in Nazi Germany. It’s a genuinely frightening time to be transgender or gender non-conforming.

Even within the LGBTQIA+ community, transgender people often face misunderstanding, which can create distrust. This makes them vulnerable – particularly trans women – at a time when complex problems make it easy to look for simple explanations and scapegoats. Sadly, this pattern of blaming marginalized groups is a recurring issue in the fight for social justice.

Filmmaker Amy K. Jenkins and her son, Adam Sieswerda, aim to challenge negative perceptions. While it’s a big task, their film focuses on the realities of life, rather than romanticizing things. Adam’s story is uplifting, but presented honestly, without exaggeration. The film intentionally shows that being transgender isn’t separate from the universal human experience. Adam is remarkable, but not in ways someone who isn’t transgender might expect. Essentially, he’s just a normal person who, like everyone else, wants to be accepted, seen, and live with respect.

Adam’s Apple is a truly special documentary. It’s both deeply personal and straightforward in its approach, focusing not on the difficulties of gender dysphoria, but on the positive feeling of gender euphoria. More than a critique of misconceptions, the film beautifully showcases the happiness that comes with embracing one’s true self. If you’ve ever questioned the importance of gender-affirming care, seeing Adam’s journey and his growing sense of self will be incredibly powerful.

While Adam’s Apple largely presents a direct and personal account of Adam’s journey to adulthood, director Jenkins uses a unique, non-linear timeline. The film often flashes between different points in time to highlight how early feelings and foreshadowing connect to later events. By visually linking images of Adam throughout his life, Jenkins emphasizes that we are all shaped by our past, present, and future, regardless of gender.

Adam’s Apple beautifully reflects the changing nature of its subject through its structure. The film starts with Adam’s guitar playing seamlessly blending into the musical score. A recurring element is footage from Adam’s birthdays, where he’s playfully asked about his future aspirations – and, like most children, his answers evolve over time. This highlights how dreams can both be realized and transformed, and suggests a continuous cycle of renewal and self-discovery.

When Adam was a young teenager, his worries about fitting in with other boys were very similar to those of his peers. While the specific details were different, he dealt with the same kinds of issues: wanting to be good at sports, trying to be cool, and figuring out how to flirt. He also wanted to make his parents proud, something that seemed to come more naturally for his sister, Amy, than for his father.

The film is fundamentally about visibility – allowing Jenkins’ son to be seen and accepted as his true self. In doing so, it honestly portrays a parent’s journey of learning and growth. It acknowledges that knowing how to talk about or to a transgender child doesn’t come naturally, but instead, the film’s greatest strength is its immersive look at the process of transformation. This isn’t about quick results or superficial changes; it’s a story about creating space for transgender youth to fully develop into who they are.

Adam’s Apple screened at the 2026 SXSW Film & TV Festival.

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2026-03-19 16:12