A good film will make your time well spent, even on an out-of-the-ordinary subject like Hobby horsing. For the uninitiated, Hobby horsing is a sport in which the participants use hobby horses (or stick horses) to perform dance and gymnastic maneuvers. Also, part of the effort involves the participants creating their stick horses. For Horsegirls, we have a poignant coming-of-age story that utilizes the sport as a narrative device, yet it is much less central to the story’s determination and independence. The film wears its heart on its sleeve with the utmost sincerity, managing to deliver both laughter and tears.
The story centers on Margarita (Lillian Carrier), a 22-year-old woman with autism. The film’s star is also autistic and an advocate. From the first frame, she charms us with her blunt honesty and beautiful heart. Her mother, Sandy (Gretchen Mol), is battling a recurrence of cancer, leading to fears of what will happen to Margarita. By accident, one night, she discovers the world of hobby horsing and becomes enamored. Inspired by the instructor, whom she calls Coach (Jerod Haynes), Margarita sets out to prove her independence to her mother—stick horse and all.
Now, the story proper is nothing audiences haven’t seen before. The film relies on familiar clichés, such as the ailing parent trope and the child finding their footing in the world amid concerns and worries. The inclusion of the sport of hobby horsing adds a clever dynamic to the mix. Horsegirls is not your typical sports or underdog movie. The familial aspect of the script is used as a strength. Now, we can overlook the derivative elements because the film is incredibly charming and, as mentioned, wears its heart on its sleeve.
The reason the story works and the film holds together is Carrier’s performance. The decision to cast someone with autism enhances the film’s credibility and, no doubt, allows her to bring her experiences and sensibilities to the role. She is inherently charming and gives Margarita a personality made of wit and resolve. She speaks her mind, such as informing everyone she meets that the reason for her unusual name is that her parents were drunk on margaritas when they conceived her. There is also an earnestness to her performance, particularly as she faces the uncertainty of a world without her mother and her desire to prove she can stand up for herself.
The bond between mother and daughter is the guiding light of the film. It helps that the pairing of Mol and Carrier presents an authentic picture of parent and child. Their dynamic is one of testing each other’s patience and strong wills. The concern she projects for her daughters comes through in moments that, in the wrong hands, would come off as overly sentimental or even melodramatic. Mol, like Carrier, finds the sweet spot. They take the archetypes from these coming-of-age stories and give us something that feels both refreshing and truthful.
I applaud director Lauren Meyering for giving us a unique spin on a character’s coming of age. Now, the addition of hobbyhorsing, an unusual choice for a narrative device, also gives the film extra momentum. Even when, as I mentioned, there is familiarity or even clichés from countless films touching on similar themes and matters. Yet here, the ideas of independence and acceptance hit different because the story is rarely in the movie spotlight.
Ultimately, Margarita is a crucial ingredient in a story. She allows the whole thing to sing loud and proud. We have seen countless stories of determination to prove that one is not made of glass, and Horsegirls is similar in that regard. Still, the overall execution and performance make it something special and indeed worthwhile.
Horsegirls will debut exclusively in theaters on July 17, 2026, courtesy of Sumerian.
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We have seen countless stories of determination to prove that one is not made of glass, and Horsegirls is similar in that regard. Still, the overall execution and performance make it something special and indeed worthwhile.
Writing & podcasting, for the love of movies.
His Letterboxd Favorites: The Dark Knight, Halloween, Jaws & Revenge of The Sith.
