'Being Heumann' Is a Worthy Follow-up to Oscar-Winning 'CODA' | TIFF Review

Published Sep 13, 2026, 1:43 PM EDT

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From the opening scene of Being Heumann, it is clear that Ruth Madeley's portrayal of the titular activist Judy Heumann is a force to be reckoned with. As she drives her wheelchair down a busy New York street during rush hour, forcing traffic to move at her speed because she has no access to the sidewalk, it's clear that she will not be deterred or compromise at the expense of others; after all, she's been forced to live at her own expense her entire life. And by the time the title card hits, it is clear why she's willing to take an impulsive step further in an effort to move her cause forward.

Director Siân Heder follows up her Oscar-winning CODA with an adaptation of Heumann's memoir of the same name, serving as both a historical drama and a biopic that captures the critical Disability Rights movement of the 1970s. A majority of the film takes place in 1977, when a simple demonstration becomes a full-blown movement, one that led to fundamental change in the United States that holds to this day. Heder's script (co-written with Rebekah Taussig) and direction deftly navigate this topic with nuance and humanity, proving that she's among the most thoughtful filmmakers working today.

What Is 'Being Heumann' About?

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Judy Heumann, who has had to use a wheelchair since contracting polio as a child, has been fighting for the rights of disabled citizens in the United States for years. Her activism in New York City helped push support for 1973's Rehabilitation Act, which then-President Richard Nixon signed into law. Five years later, after Jimmy Carter has been sworn in, the act's Section 504 still has yet to be signed — a section that protects federal civil rights for citizens with disabilities.

Joe Califano (Mark Ruffalo), the U.S. Secretary of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, refuses to codify this section — at first, due to his own ignorance, but eventually because he realizes the $3 billion price tag it would have for the government. This forces Judy to escalate the activists' actions. They then organize rallies across the country, including in their home base of San Francisco as well as Washington D.C.

What begins as a peaceful demonstration suddenly erupts into a peaceful occupation, as Judy surprises her fellow leadership team by encouraging the activists to enter the building. They're forcing themselves to be seen and heard, as Judy says they will no longer tolerate being unseen and unheard. Thus begins one of the longest sit-ins in American history, with Judy leading the charge.

When the film reaches the sit-in, it allows us to get intimate with the activist group in ways we've yet to, as the early scenes focus on call centers and group meetings where members discuss agendas and initiatives. But once the sit-in begins, we see the activists as people at their most vulnerable state.

Heder's script deftly weaves all of these personalities together, as so many marginalized communities unite under one roof, all fighting together for the same cause. With such a large ensemble, some people might get lost in the narrative, but Heder lets everyone's personalities shine brightly. These scenes, where they're all interacting and aiding each other to care for their respective disabilities, is where the movie shines brightest.

'Being Heumann' Is a Story of Resilience

The film's extended cast transforms this movie from a biopic of Judy Heumann into more of a historical drama about a world-changing movement. Antwan Tolliver shines as Black Panther Party member Brad Lomax, who provides a connection between both movements that proves pivotal when the sit-in begins to stretch on. Roberta Colindrez plays Joni, Judy's best friend and fellow activist, who is just as quick to give Judy shit as she is to help her move without the use of her chair. And Dylan O'Brien plays TV news reporter Evan White, who at first doesn't quite understand the root of the activists' plight, but after he becomes embedded with them, shows a steady growth of empathy and becomes one of their greatest allies.

All the concerns regarding care, convenience, and access that the protestors fight for are magnified here as the group attempt to navigate the sit-in while facing their own personal challenges. Threats start to emerge as Califano's office begins fighting back, first by cutting the phones and not allowing any food into the building. But everything escalates to a frightening degree when police officers raid the space in the middle of the night — not to arrest anyone, but to terrorize them.

Madeley's performance is especially impressive in this section of the film. As a proud Brooklyn native who never stopped fighting for her rights, she can see that her allies are more fragile than ever. But she cannot let them break, or she will break, too, and she's worked too damn hard to let this slip away. Madeley's eyes do a lot of work in conveying her complex feelings — when she's barking orders at her team, it's apparent that she's also aware how far she's pushing her friends, and how they're not able to take much more. It's a pain that she knows she has to deal with and a sacrifice necessary to win this fight, and it takes its toll.

The building itself also becomes a character, as community erupts there in some humorous and unexpected ways. As the sit-in goes on, it transforms from a temporary base of operations to a communal home, complete with its own sex tent. Yes, a sex tent. (It was the '70s.) Different areas and setups emerge so the activists can live as comfortably as possible, keep their meds cool, and receive and provide care necessary for the group's myriad disabilities. The production design team excelled in capturing the aesthetic of the era and how their occupation space evolved over time.

The title of the film is an apt play on words that gets to the heart of why Heder's latest film works so well. It beautifully captures an era and a group of people who risked everything to change the world. The fruits of their labors are seen nearly everywhere nowadays — just take a stroll down your sidewalk, for example. Heder provides a distinct window into this fight as only she can, giving it the nuance and heart it rightly deserves.

Being Heumann

8 10

Cast

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  Ruth Madeley

  Judith 'Judy' Heumann

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  Joseph Califano

Pros & Cons

• Siân Heder and Rebekah Taussig?s witty script is packed with humor and heart.
• Ruth Madeley is doing great work and puts the weight of the whole movie on her shoulders.

• The extended cast bogs the movie down at times because of its sheer size.