Slamdance 2022 Film Festival – A genderqueer teen explores the possibilities of their identity through a series of attempts of anonymity – partially in the back of rideshares, and partially on the social media app TikTok.

Sonny Golden stars as Jake… or Riley… or Blake… depending on which of their drivers you ask. Shy, uncomfortable Jake desperately tries on new identities in each rideshare they get into – sometimes to very poor results. Searching for answers and truth, Jake turns to TikTok – searching for cosplayers, as they wonder if what they’re doing is cosplay – and perhaps, if they can “cosplay” as a boy… or a girl… or something else entirely.

Cosboi is a difficult film, to say the least. It’s only 15 minutes long, and a lot of that time is taken up by scrolling social media feeds. 15 minutes isn’t enough time to turn someone who appears to only be deceptive into someone sympathetic. The deeper meaning of Cosboi – that Jake is trying on identities, like a cosplay, may not be easy to follow to the average user. There’s a disjointed aspect to this film, and unfortunately Jake doesn’t have enough screentime to develop a real identity and heart. Maybe this is intentional – Jake doesn’t know who they are, so why should we?

An unfortunate attempt at “fitting in” via derogatory language and slurs is also particularly jarring from the overall gestalt of the film. If Jake is questioning themself, why would a vicious attempt at homophobia be part of their journey? Tough to watch, and left an odd taste in my mouth.

For me, as a gender fluid adult, Cosboi didn’t hit home too well – but it is not my story. It is Jake’s, and I respect Jake’s journey, and fictional or otherwise, wish all the Jakes of the world peace within themselves – you are who you are, and who you are is worth it, and who you are is more than enough and always has been.

5 Out of 10