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.
UPDATED APR 11, 2019

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

In Netflix’s ‘Apex’, Sasha’s fight for survival reaches a gripping climax as she faces a relentless killer in a deadly game of endurance.
11 hours ago
'Michael' biopic has been praised by many family members like Prince Jackson and Jermaine Jackson, however some remain steadfast in their disapproval.
12 hours ago
The biopic chronicles Michael Jackson's career, from his time with the Jackson 5 to his solo career, but Diana Ross' scenes were cut for this reason.
13 hours ago
Tom Rhys Harries stars as Matt Hagen, an up-and-coming Hollywood star who tragically goes through a life-altering experience in 'Clayface.'
15 hours ago
Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler team up for a crime film, stepping into iconic roles in a bold big-screen revival
20 hours ago
Directed by Michael Sarnoski, the film stars Hugh Jackman, Jodie Comer, Murray Bartlett, and others in pivotal roles
23 hours ago
'Heartstopper' is based on the graphic novel series of the same name, written by Alicia Oseman
1 day ago
The yet-to-be-introduced Bombsight's mention in the latest episode of 'The Boys' Season 5 sets the pace for 'Vought Rising.'
1 day ago
The film follows Wile E. Coyote, who has spent decades getting outsmarted by the Road Runner
1 day ago
Directed by James Watkins, the film introduces Matt Hagen, played by Tom Rhys Harries
1 day ago