Enigma a Documentary, was released to OTT on June 24, 2025. Directed by Zackary Drucker, with a script Written by –, the HBO Max presentation was produced by Madison Passarelli, Douglas Banker, Alex Garinger, Noah Levy, Donovan Lovell, Stephen B. Strout. The movie has a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes.
Enigma 2025 Movie Overview
| Movie Name | Enigma 2025 Movie |
| Original Language | English |
| Release Date | 24 June 2025 |
| Runtime | 1 hour and 34 minutes |
| Country | Untied States |
| Genres | Documentary |
| Writer | – |
| Director | Zackary Drucker |
| Producer | Madison Passarelli, Douglas Banker, Alex Garinger, Noah Levy, Donovan Lovell, Stephen B. Strout |
| Production Co. | HBO Max |
Enigma 2025 Movie Story
Enigma (2025), directed by Zackary Drucker, is a documentary exploring the lives of transgender icons April Ashley and Amanda Lear, who navigated public scrutiny in contrasting ways. Set against the backdrop of 1950s Parisian nightclub Le Carrousel, a haven for transgender performers, the film delves into their divergent paths. Ashley, who died in 2021, embraced her transgender identity, becoming a trailblazer despite intense scrutiny and being outed as a model. Lear, however, consistently denied her transgender history, achieving fame as a disco star. Using archival footage and interviews, including with Lear and other Le Carrousel performers like Bambi, Drucker examines their legacies, highlighting the personal costs and societal impacts of their choices. The film premiered at Sundance 2025 and was released by HBO on June 24, 2025.
Enigma 2025 Movie Screenshots
Enigma 2025 Movie Star Cast
| Star / Presenter | Role / Contribution |
|---|---|
| Amanda Lear | Self – French singer, model, muse to Dali |
| April Ashley | Self – British trans pioneer and activist |
| Marie‑Pierre Pruvot | Self – Trans performer, archival interviewee |
| Allanah Starr | Self – Performer from Le Carrousel cabaret |
| Morgan M. Page | Self – Trans performer/cabaret artist |
| Dolly Van Doll | Self – Archival performer in the film |
| Rebecca Root | Narrator (voice) |
Enigma 2025 Movie Review
The documentary chronicles the lives of April Ashley, a British model and trans rights advocate who embraced her transgender identity after being outed, and Amanda Lear, a French performer dubbed the “white queen of disco,” who has consistently denied or obscured her trans history. Both met as showgirls at Le Carrousel, a Parisian cabaret, in the late 1950s.
Using archival footage, media interviews, and Drucker’s contemporary interview with Lear, the film examines their contrasting approaches to identity, fame, and survival, highlighting their impact on trans culture. Ashley, who passed away in 2021, appears through unseen interviews and archival material, while Lear’s candid, evasive responses add tension.
Enigma has garnered generally positive reviews, with a 6.0/10 rating on IMDb and praise for its insightful portrayal of trans history. Critics commend its rich archival footage and the compelling contrast between Ashley’s openness and Lear’s reticence. Variety’s Murtada Elfadl calls it a “fascinating portrait of two trailblazing transgender legends,” noting the tension in Drucker’s Lear interview as a highlight that elevates the conventional documentary format.
Attitude magazine gave it 4/5 stars, describing it as a “tale of truly enigmatic, glamorous, and singular women,” though noting the 94-minute runtime skips over decades of their lives, leaving viewers wanting more. Out.com awarded it 5/5 stars, emphasizing the emotional power of seeing trans elders “thriving and happy” despite historical adversity, calling it empowering for trans audiences.
