Our Review

                   Movie: HORSEGIRLS

  Rating: PG-13, some strong language

                       Length: 1:41

             Release Date: JULY 17, 2026

JEANNE: Bolstered by outstanding performances from Lillian Carrier as Margarita and Gretchen Mol as her mother, Sandy, HORSEGIRLS is an engaging dramedy about establishing independence as a young woman with autism. Writer/director Lauren Meyering realized the importance of casting an autistic actor in the lead role and she found an amazing advocate in Carrier.

 

Sandy’s illness has returned and in an effort to make 22-year-old Margarita more independent, Sandy insists that she get a job. Though Margarita is stridently opposed to the idea, she talks herself  into a job at a Halloween store because she loves that holiday. Her new boss, Hank (Iqbal Theba), is impressed with her enthusiasm and work ethic.

 

Margarita’s other big love is horses. Her entire bedroom is decorated in all things related to the majestic creatures. She tried horseback riding lessons, but to no avail. Instead, Margarita stumbles across a group of young girls engaging in the sport of hobbyhorsing.

 

She begs the Coach (Jerod Haynes) to allow her to participate even though the cutoff age is eighteen. The other girls are not very accepting at first until they realize Margarita will be an asset as a “lifter”. All of this is done without Sandy’s knowledge --- and when she does find out, she forces Margarita to quit.

 

Though HORSEGIRLS is Carrier’s first leading film role, she has acted in several other productions --- and she is amazing. She brings such authenticity to Margarita , and according to Meyering, “Her performance made the story sharper, funnier, more honest --- ". She and Mol showcase an unbelievable bond as mother and daughter, which greatly enhances this coming-of-age story.

 

Mol has had an impressive career, and this is some of her finest work playing the distraught cancer patient who is terrified of what will become of her only child. But despite the trauma Sandy is experiencing, Mol never overplays the drama.

 

Haynes turns in a very subtle performance as Coach. He guides Margarita without overstepping his bounds, helping her to work through some life-changing issues. And Theba adds another outlet of kindness as Margarita’s supportive boss. 

 

HORSEGIRLS is a little film with a significant message of learning to let go. Meyering has done an exemplary job of demonstrating acceptance, and proving that the best possible outcome comes from casting the right person for the role.

In Theaters July 17th

 

OPINION: SEE IT NOW!

DAVID: HORSEGIRLS is a small but very sweet film about a widowed mother who herself is suffering from a returned illness. Sandy (Gretchen Mol) is working very hard to raise and support her 22-year-old autistic daughter, Margarita (Lillian Carrier). This film is Ms. Carrier’s lead role debut --- she has been in other projects --- and was cast because she is an autistic individual herself.

 

Margarita is fond of telling people she was named thusly because she was conceived when her parents were inebriated from drinking margaritas. As part of her desire to be independent, she joins a group of younger girls practicing to compete in a hobbyhorse competition. The group performs with “stick” horses mimicking actual riders on real horses. Led by Coach (Jerod Haynes) who is very supportive of her and calls her “Red”, the girls grow to accept and like her. Haynes is quite admirable in his role.

 

Co-writer/director Lauren Meyering knows how to involve the viewer in empathizing with the characters. When Margarita stumbles jumping over a very low fence during the competition, the girls rally to her side and continue their routine as if nothing happened.

 

HORSEGIRLS is a charming film with a lot of heart as Margarita finds her niche with the hobbyhorse group, and also working at a Halloween store. Pakistani actor Iqbal Theba stands out as Hank, the store manager who hires Margarita because she convinced him to do so. One of her co-workers at the store is Felix, poignantly played by Matthew Schwab who has Down syndrome.

 

Tony Hale has a small role at the story’s end playing Sandy’s brother, and co-writer Mackenzie Breeden plays Rayna. Breeden also memorializes her real-life mother, Sandy, which presumably was the impetus for naming Mol’s character. As for Mol, she is appropriately supportive and frustrated at the same time considering her deteriorating condition and Margarita’s needs.

 

HORSEGIRLS is anchored by Carrier’s accomplished portrayal. I look forward to her future film projects.

 

OPINION: SEE IT NOW!