Being Heumann
Rating: 5/5
By: Nathaniel Simpson
SCREENED AT TIFF 2026
My first exposure to disability rights' activist Judy Heumann was through my sister a few years ago, who has Spina Bifida and is in a wheelchair. She once met Judy right before her passing, and just from that interaction with my sister as she described meeting her and the effect she had on the world for those with disabilities, it made me wonder why there wasn't a movie about her yet. Now flash forward to 2026, and Being Heumann, which is directed by Sian Heder after her Best Picture win for CODA, is the opening night film for the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival. I had the privilege of seeing this movie in Toronto for the Festival, and this film absolutely blew me away. I went in not knowing much about this story, and Heder was able to craft a brilliant re-telling of these real-world events, with an incredibly moving lead performance from the delightful Ruth Madeley.
The film documents the sit-in protest that was led by Judy Heumann and her Disability Rights group to convince the head of the U.S. Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare Joseph A. Califano Jr. (Mark Ruffalo) to sign the Act that will give rights to millions of disabled Americans. The film gives the viewer a chance to be a fly on the wall during this 28-day sit-in, which included a hunger strike, bomb threats, police brutality, and more against this brave group of citizens who are peacefully protesting. Heder does a fantastic job of really documenting this powerful movement, and shed a light on the people who are usually cast aside.
To be completely honest, I think this film is leagues better than Heder's previous film. While I enjoyed CODA, Being Heumann simply feels like such a sophisticated and powerful film that tells this beautiful story of such a badass woman. From the way the script flows to how Heder captures every single scene, we, as the audience, can see the effect of every single person who has worked on this movie. Heder is tasked with telling such a powerful and hard-to-tell story in the span of two-hours, and I think she documents it wonderfully. She had to decide what to show throughout these 28-days based on Heumann's memoir, and I think her and co-writer Rebekah Taussig find the perfect flow and pace.
To tell this story, they had to find the right actress to play the lead role. Thankfully, they found the perfect actress in Ruth Madeley, who I think is going to be very booked and busy after this film releases in November. From what I have heard from others about the real Judy Heumann, Madeley perfectly fits the role. I absolutely love her charm, her charisma, her sassiness, and how motivated her character feels from beginning to end. Madeley simply blew me away in this role, and I honestly couldn't imagine a better actress to play her. I also want to applaud the filmmakers for using an entire cast of disabled actors, including Madeline Delp, Daniel Durant, Andrew Pilkington, and so many more talented disabled actors. Especially in a world that feels like able-bodied people are playing disabled roles, it is incredibly refreshing to see disabled actors in major roles. Every single one of them here is incredible and they each add something uniquely special to this movie. Consider the scene where they all speak in front of a congress representative; it's honestly so powerful and moving seeing these actors tell the camera what it is like being disabled and underrepresented in America.
I also want to comment on Mark Ruffalo and Dylan O'Brien's roles in this movie. I think both of these talented actors really embody these roles, especially Ruffalo. I think Ruffalo is great at playing a jerk, and he definitely utilizes those acting chops here. O'Brien, on the other hand, plays this role of reporter Evan White, and I genuinely think this might be my favorite role of his. Both of them are terrific in their own rights and I love seeing major A-list actors take on roles like this.
I think the most important thing about this movie is the representation. I attended the EasterSeals Disability Film Challenge Awards this last year in Hollywood, and I was blown away by the amount of talent and star-power in one room. Yet, they are having a hell of a time trying to break into the industry, and it is due to their disability. Many scouts in Hollywood and film studios are scared of hiring actors and film crews with disabilities, and that stigma simply needs to disappear. With this movie being the opening night film at a major film festival is really something special, and I truly hope this is a big opening for many disabled artists. In this film, Heder shows how disabled people aren't "special" or need different treatment; they are people, just like me and everyone else. I truly hope this movie breaks down walls and barriers, and I'm so happy we have a director like Sian Heder working today.
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