Margarita (Lillian Carrier) bears her name—as she proudly proclaims—in honor of the drink her parents were consuming the night she was conceived. She is a 22-year-old autistic woman who, despite holding a college degree, lacks a clear direction in life. Her mother, Sandy (Gretchen Mol)—who is battling cancer—tries to nudge her, not always subtly, toward various paths. Their relationship, and the way the intermittent tension between them ultimately pushes Margarita out of her comfort zone, forms the heart of *Horsegirls*, a sweet and charming comedy-drama that screened in the U.S. Narrative Competition section at the 2025 Tribeca Festival.
Margarita’s great passion is horses. She even rides a tricycle with a toy horse head attached to the front basket. Sandy convinces her to look for work, and she lands a job at a Halloween supply store run by Hank (Iqbal Theba), an understanding manager. What neither her mother nor her boss knows is that she slips away early to rehearse with a "hobby horse" dance team made up of girls nearly a decade younger than her. The coach (Jarod Haynes) is preparing to take his team to a competition.
Director: Lauren Meyering
Writers: Mackenzie Breeden, Lauren Meyering
Stars: Gretchen Mol, Iqbal Theba, Lillian Carrier
I confess that after watching *Horsegirls*, I looked online to see if such competitions actually exist. And yes, they do. Though, in reality, it wouldn't matter if they didn't, as the story works perfectly either way. Margarita is largely shunned by the other girls, but she doesn't seem to mind. Since Sandy won't let her ride a real horse, this activity is the closest she can get to doing so. Being part of the team gives her a sense of purpose and confidence she doesn't find elsewhere. The question remains whether her mother will accept this choice, especially as her cancer worsens.
Meyering wrote the screenplay based on a story by Mackenzie Breeden. The film is filled with beautifully observed mother-daughter moments and dialogue that balances wit with sharp insight. Wisely, the filmmakers choose not to make the competition the central focus of the plot. The movie isn't about whether the dance team wins or loses; it is about how this unusual activity helps Margarita begin to find her place in the world. After a lifetime of feeling different, she gradually begins to accept herself.
Lillian Carrier is a true discovery in the lead role. The neurodivergent actress brings honesty and charisma to Margarita, quickly winning us over. Her performance has depth, allowing us to understand the character's emotions even when she struggles to grasp them herself. Carrier holds her own alongside Gretchen Mol, who once again proves to be one of the most authentic actresses working today. The *Marriage Story* star conveys the two fears driving Sandy: the fear of dying and the fear of what will happen to her daughter when that moment comes. Watching these two women share scenes is a genuine pleasure.
*Horsegirls* has a fresh voice and a big heart. It is a very special film.
Comments
Post a Comment