Hilary Swank Opens Up About the Movie Role She Regrets Most

Hilary Swank has said that she now regrets playing Brandon Teena in the 1999 film Boys Don’t Cry, despite winning an Academy Award for the role.

The movie, directed by Kimberly Peirce and co-written with Andy Bienen, tells the tragic true story of Brandon, a trans man murdered in Nebraska. Swank portrayed Brandon, while Chloë Sevigny played his girlfriend, Lana Tisdel.

Speaking to Gay Times, Swank explained that her perspective has changed with time and social progress. “21 years later, not only are trans people having their lives and living, thankfully,” she said,

“but we now have a bunch of trans actors who would obviously be a lot more right for the role and have the opportunity to actually audition for the role.” She added, “We still have a long way to go in their safety and inclusivity.”

The film was praised for its honest and emotional portrayal of Brandon’s life and death. Swank’s performance earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress, and Sevigny received a Best Supporting Actress nomination.

Critics highlighted the intensity of the lead performances, with Peter Travers noting that they “give performances that burn in the memory”, while Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly called Swank a “revelation.”

Boys Don’t Cry was also recognized for its direction and careful handling of the story. Roger Ebert called it one of the five best films of 1999, saying it was “a sad song about a free spirit who tried to fly a little too close to the flame.”

Critics praised the way the film depicted Brandon’s experiences without romanticizing or sensationalizing them. Stephen Hunter of The Washington Post described the performances as “luminous humanity that break your heart.”

While the film received mostly positive reviews, it was not without controversy. Some critics and people involved in Brandon’s life felt the story did not fully capture the truth of the events. Others noted that Brandon’s gender identity and relationships were sometimes misunderstood or misrepresented in reviews.

Despite this, the movie became culturally significant and, in 2019, was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

The story of Brandon Teena also drew attention to broader issues of hate crimes against LGBTQ people. Released a year after the murder of Matthew Shepard, another young LGBTQ person, the film contributed to public conversations about violence and discrimination.

Noelle Howey of Mother Jones later noted that while critics praised the film, many failed to fully understand its core point: Brandon was a trans man and a victim of anti-transgender violence.

Looking back, Swank acknowledges both the importance of the film and the opportunities that now exist for trans actors. Her reflection shows a shift in awareness and a recognition of the progress still needed in representation and safety for transgender people in the arts.

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