‘Tow’ Review – Rose Byrne Shines As An Underdog Who Takes On An Unjust Towing Company [Tribeca 2025]

Rose Byrne in ‘Tow’Tribeca Film Festival

Life has a way of kicking you when you’re down. No one knows this better than Amanda Ogle (Rose Byrne), a homeless woman in Seattle who is desperately working to get her life back on track after struggling with alcoholism. She’s also trying to restore her fractured relationship with her teenage daughter. Forced to live in her car until she can get back on her feet, her 1991 Toyota Corolla is just as much a companion as it is a lifeline. It’s her only hope of gaining and maintaining employment at a veterinarian’s office. Unfortunately, she returns from a successful interview to find that the vehicle has been stolen, then impounded. The setback initiates a yearlong battle with a crooked towing company but puts her on the path to the stability she so desperately craves.

Tow is emotional and an engaging mix of comedy, tragedy, and triumph. Based on a true story, the film sheds light on the struggles faced by not only the millions of people who are forced to live out of their cars, but also the millions of people struggling to get their lives back on track after struggling with addiction. Byrne’s portrayal of Amanda is endearing and moving, and you can’t help but root for her as the yearlong battle to reclaim her vehicle unfolds.

The film wisely rounds out the cast with a bevy of interesting characters who are all facing their own battles against the backdrop of Amanda’s story. Dominic Sessa plays Kevin, a young, upstart lawyer who takes on Amanda’s case free of charge. Kevin is kindhearted, but out of his depth. Sessa’s portrayal as a bumbling do-gooder is funny and endearing. Octavia Spencer’s Barb is a strict, no-nonsense mother hen who runs a shelter that Amanda lives in. As per usual, Spencer brings a commanding presence and gravitas that makes it impossible to take your eyes off her. Even when she isn’t given much material, or even the best material, she’s able to give a memorable performance.

Demi Lovato’s Nova is a homeless, pregnant teenager whom Amanda takes under her wing and manages to spiritually redeem herself by preparing Nova for her impending motherhood. Lovato brings the character to life well enough, but she isn’t as memorable as the other actors in her orbit. The same can be said about Ariana DeBose’s Denise, whose actions place Amanda in a moral predicament that threatens the place of all the residents when she breaks the strict rules imposed by Barb. It’s an interesting subplot that is quickly wrapped up before it can be fully explored.

Where the film falters is in its portrayal of its villains. Corbin Bernsen encapsulates every negative stereotype of a super successful lawyer as Martin. While it isn’t outside of the realm of possibility that he would spend his time at a fancy golf course ignoring Kevin’s attempt to resolve Amanda’s situation, his portrayal borders on cartoonish during many of his scenes. The same can be said about Avery, a character played by Elsie Fisher. Avery is Amanda’s estranged daughter, whose leaps in logic as it pertains to her mother’s misdeeds are jarring. Viewers will find themselves wishing the characters were written differently or omitted altogether.

Ultimately, Tow is watchable and an endearing look at one woman’s journey to fight back against corporate greed while rebuilding her life. Byrne and her supporting cast make what could have easily been a boring film enjoyable.

Tow held its World Premiere as a part of the Spotlight Narrative section of the 2025 Tribeca Festival.

Director: Stephanie Laing

Screenwriters: Jonathan Keasey, Brant Boivin, and Annie Weisman

Runtime: 105m