Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- compassionate
- hopeful
- vibrant
- inspirational viewing
- lgbtq film night
What critics said
Critics find the film heartfelt and compelling, praising its sincere portrayal of identity and courage while noting uneven pacing and limited character depth.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Kenji's journey through bullying, cabaret performance, and emergence as Ai Haruna foregrounds gender identity and self-acceptance.
The cabaret gives Kenji belonging and a stage on which her identity can be expressed.
Ai's emergence onstage connects artistic ambition with the courage to live publicly as her true self.
The plot explicitly identifies a pioneering doctor as a source of help in Ai's transformation and journey.
Films like This Is I, and why
A Fantastic Woman
shared transgender self-discovery, performance-centered drama, and compassionate identity themes
Tangerine
shared transgender identity, social prejudice, intimate emotional realism, and self-acceptance
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
shared aspiring performer narrative, queer identity, vibrant musical atmosphere, and resilience
The Danish Girl
shared biographical LGBTQ drama, artistic ambition, and struggle against social constraints
Movie Details
- Director
- Yusaku Matsumoto
- Release Date
- 2026-02-09
- Runtime
- 130 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (23)
Cast
- Haruki Mochizuki
- Takumi Saitoh
- Tae Kimura
- Seiji Chihara
- Ataru Nakamura
- Kaito Yoshimura
- Yumi Suenari
- MEGUMI
- Shido Nakamura
- Norika Fujiwara
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is This Is I about?
- A bullied aspiring idol discovers community in Osaka’s cabaret world and the courage to claim her identity as Ai Haruna.
- What is This Is I like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of This Is I as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is This Is I violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in This Is I.
- What did critics think of This Is I?
- Critics find the film heartfelt and compelling, praising its sincere portrayal of identity and courage while noting uneven pacing and limited character depth.
- Which films are like This Is I?
- Films with a similar feel include A Fantastic Woman, Tangerine, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and The Danish Girl.
- How long is This Is I?
- This Is I runs 130 minutes.
- Where can I watch This Is I?
- In United States, This Is I streams on Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads.
