Last Halloween, I went to costume party at a local bar. I decided to forego a costume and just dress up in a way that made me feel good. I wore my favorite button-up shirt, put gel in my hair, added my favorite accessories. As I looked in the mirror I felt confident in my chubby, queer body – I felt handsome.

That night, someone very earnestly came up to me and said that I had “the best Pat costume” they’d ever seen. They were, of course, talking about the character of Pat, from the 90s SNL bits “It’s Pat”. The person who told me this was trying to give me a compliment. They didn’t realize that it could be misconstrued as an insult, that the queer community has a complicated relationship with Pat’s depiction of androgyny. That’s part of why I think this documentary, We Are Pat (2025), is so important.

The film dives into opinions of the character, into the flawed representation of the 90s in general. It gives a voice to those who grew up ridiculed for being perceived to be like Pat, as well as to those who find comfort in the character. The creator of Pat, Julia Sweeney, is interviewed and gives insight to the creation of Pat and her intentions when creating them. In the end she, alongside a group of queer comics, attempt to revitalize the Pat concept and give it a modern spin by creating their own character sketches.

This movie is about more than just Pat, though. It talks about the history of trans and queer comedy, exploring how comedy is a reflection of a society’s views as well as a form of entertainment. It asks what’s acceptable in the world of comedy, and who should be held accountable when a joke ages poorly or is perceived as offensive. Through interviews with several trans and queer comedians, it gives attention to the issues this group of people face in the current political environment.

In the opinion of a fellow friend of Pat, We Are Pat is informative, entertaining, and worth the watch.

Ash Elston

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“We Are Pat” (2025): Reclaiming a Controversial 90s Icon