Kristen Stewart's 'JT LeRoy': Release date, plot, cast and everything you need to know about the greatest literary farce of all time

Based on Savannah Knoop's memoir 'Girl Boy Girl'- How I became JT LeRoy, the real-life drama is set to hit the silver screens this month and the trailer is a visual treat.

Kristen Stewart,  Laura Dern and a bunch of wigs are set to bring alive the infamous literary pasquinade in the new 'JT LeRoy' trailer. The  Justin Keller- directed movie is based on Savannah Knoop's memoir 'Girl Boy Girl- How I Became JT LeRoy (2008) who goes on to dupe the literary world by assuming the identity of JT LeRoy, her novelist sister-in-law's persona. Prior to the movie, there was a documentary made by Jeff Feuerzeig in 2016 starring Laura Albert and Asia Argento.

Release date:

The movie premiered at the Toronto 2018 Film Festival to wide positive acclaim and will be available on demand beginning April 26, 2019.

Stewart and Dern serve wig fantasy in JT LeRoy (IMDb)

Plot:

The film follows the journey of a young Savannah Knoop (Kristen Stewart) who meets her sister-in-law, Laura Albert (Laura Dern), an author who published books from the viewpoint of 'Jeremiah "Terminator" LeRoy.' 

Albert goes on to persuade Knoop to then take on the identity of her literary avatar and spends the next six years of her life masquerading as the celebrated author. Together, the duo starts a journey duping countless readers into believing J.T. was a real person who wrote about his teenage experiences with sexual abuse, poverty, and drugs.

Cast:

The American biographical drama stars Kristen Stewart, who plays the role of Savannah Knoop, while Laura Dern of the 'Blue Velvet' and the 'Big Little Lies' fame portrays the role of Laura Albert, the author who influences Knoop to play JT LeRoy. The supporting cast includes Diane Kruger, Jim Sturgess and Courtney Love.

Director/Writer:

The film will be helmed by Justin Kelly and produced by Cassian Elwes and Gary Pearl.

Trailer:

The trailer starts off with a young Knoop being introduced to her sister-in-law who askes her if she could keep a secret after giving her a copy of 'Sarah' by JT LeRoy. What follows is Knoop who goes on to masquerade as the persona and then begins the journey of double lives, pulling fast ones on the literary elite and Hollywood, only to find out what they are while pretending to be someone else.

If you liked 'JT LeRoy,' then you may also like 

'Lizzie'

'The Wolf of Wall Street'

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

James Gunn responds to studio interference rumors surrounding ‘Man of Tomorrow’ following his departure from DC Studios’ leadership.
2026-11-14T17:38:38.000Z
Margot Robbie is set to star in ‘The Week of Pain,’ a new film from A24 and ‘The Drama’ director Kristoffer Borgli.
2026-11-14T02:51:29.000Z
Christian Cousins' brother pays tribute to the former child star, who appeared in 'Kindergarten Cop' alongside his twin brother Joey
2026-11-13T17:23:35.000Z
Jason Voorhees is returning to the big screen with franchise veteran Steve Miner stepping behind the camera
2026-11-13T13:00:02.000Z
Johnny Depp brings a darker, horror-inspired take on Charles Dickens' beloved Christmas classic to the big screen.
2026-11-13T09:02:22.000Z
The trailer introduces Nero, a cat navigating the feline-run underworld of Venice
2026-11-13T04:23:14.000Z
Ryan Reynolds used a ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ clip to respond to ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ rumors
2026-11-13T03:38:59.000Z
The upcoming film 'What Doesn’t Kill Us' will move forward with a personal tribute to the late 'Godzilla' actress.
2026-11-12T20:18:37.000Z
Marvel is bringing an updated version of 'Avengers: Endgame' to Disney+, giving fans a revisit to Infinity Saga finale ahead of 'Avengers: Doomsday'.
2026-11-11T14:18:27.000Z
Paris Hilton and Julia Fox join as Olivia Rodrigo unveils her first Christmas single in Prime Video’s ‘Clashing Through the Snow’ trailer
2026-11-11T11:43:35.000Z