Zerophilia (2006)

25% of critics liked it
(20 reviews)
61% of users liked it
(1,492 ratings)

A young man who remains decidedly insecure about his masculinity attempts to uncover the mystery of his rare genetic disorder before it transforms him into a female in a sci fi flavored romantic comedy directed by Martin Curland and inspired by the studies of renowned Neuromorphologists Professor… More A young man who remains decidedly insecure about his masculinity attempts to uncover the mystery of his rare genetic disorder before it transforms him into a female in a sci fi flavored romantic comedy directed by Martin Curland and inspired by the studies of renowned Neuromorphologists Professor Czierny Ptolemy and Eva Szantova. Slowly immersed in a world where some change gender at will and others seem to make the transformation despite how hard they try not to, Luke (Taylor Handley) is forced to abandon all of his assumptions on sexual identity to focus on the one person he truly loves. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: Martin Curland
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 26, 2005 Wide
On DVD: Feb 20, 2007

Critic Reviews

Peter Debruge, Variety
Amid deliberately campy situations and sophomoric jokes, Zerophilia offers a disarmingly sweet lesson about learning to identify with the opposite gender.
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader
The script's lazy convenience is embodied by a beautiful neuromorphologist (Gina Bellman) who arrives on the scene to explain everything that's going on.
Bill Stamets, Chicago Sun-Times
Boasts a fertile premise but a sterile outcome.
Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune
A half-silly, half-earnest indie with the soul of a John Hughes-era sex comedy.
Michael Rechtshaffen, Hollywood Reporter
The admittedly thought-provoking results fail to make the full-blown transition from curious concept to substantial theatrical proposition.
V.A. Musetto, New York Post
There's plenty of material here for a dark comedy, but director Martin Curland isn't up to the job.
Kam Williams, Insight News
As adroitly executed a directorial debut as you could ever hope to find, this ingenious, sci-fi comedy revolves around a mythological malady which causes carriers to change gender whenever they make love.
Kam Williams, Mount Desert Islander
As adroitly executed a directorial debut as you could ever hope to find, this ingenious, sci-fi comedy revolves around a mythological malady which causes carriers to change gender whenever they make love.
Ken Fox, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Anyone who understands the meaning of the title or catches all the frog references scattered through writer-director Martin Curland's feature debut will have a head start understanding this confused and confusing comedy.
Matt Pais, Metromix.com
Even if you'd enjoy spending a day as the opposite sex, you're better off abstaining from Zerophilia and daydreaming about what you'd do with your time.
Ron Wilkinson, Monsters and Critics
Sexual confusion made manifest in a romantic comedy gender-bender first try by newcomer Martin Curland and a host of young faces and bodies.
Eric Lurio, Greenwich Village Gazette
Not enough sex. If you're going to do porn, Do PORN!
Noel Murray, AV Club
Zerophilia doesn't take any real chances.
Dezhda Gaubert, E! Online
With clunky dialogue, jokes that fall flat and an uneven sense of rhythm and timing, the movie looks and feels too amateurish to take on this kind of material.
Harvey S. Karten, Compuserve
Originality notwithstanding, the pic is too slight for the big screen.

Read all 15 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cynthia S

This was better than I expected. Hardly great, but I enjoyed it a lot. I can't say I've seen a movie that deals with changing genders in quite this way before. It's not a gay film, it's mostly hetero sex, but one that explores sexuality in a slightly different way.… More
This was better than I expected. Hardly great, but I enjoyed it a lot. I can't say I've seen a movie that deals with changing genders in quite this way before. It's not a gay film, it's mostly hetero sex, but one that explores sexuality in a slightly different way. Basically, love whomever you choose according to who you are. Expect simplistic writing, and plotting (after school special with nudity), and enjoy the intent. Side note: Kudos to whoever was in charge of casting, There are some really great looking actors in this film. :)
Byron B

I'm not aware of any other movie like this one. Unique concept of shape shifting and gender identity that was quite goofy at times, but also kept surprising me.
Walter M

[font=Century Gothic]"Zerophilia" starts with Luke(Taylor Handley) losing his virginity to an older woman(Kelly LeBrock) on a camping trip. As possible compensation for his manhood possibly shrinking afterwards, he buys an 18-wheeler and brings it to Max(Kyle Schmid) to… More
[font=Century Gothic]"Zerophilia" starts with Luke(Taylor Handley) losing his virginity to an older woman(Kelly LeBrock) on a camping trip. As possible compensation for his manhood possibly shrinking afterwards, he buys an 18-wheeler and brings it to Max(Kyle Schmid) to have it repaired. While there, he makes the acquaintance of Max's sister, Michelle(Rebecca Mozo), who he asks to dinner. But that only exacerbates his problems...[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]"Zerophilia" is a slightly engaging genderblender that wastes an original premise on arbritrary rules and the usual male posturing, leaving little room for anything worthwhile about masculinity or gender.(Personally, I think it would be cool to change genders at will.) None of the performances amounts to much of anything except for Gina Bellman's spirited performance. [/font]
Leo L

An interesting movie. Great music.