Followed by a Q&A with producer Michael Sherman
As her mother Sandy (Gretchen Mol) grapples with an uncertain diagnosis, autistic 22-year-old Margarita (Lillian Carrier) must reluctantly grow up. Bogged down by the demands of her new job at a Halloween store and the complications surrounding her mom’s illness, Margarita discovers a competitive hobby horse dance team, a sport in which young athletes mimic equestrian activities such as jumping and galloping by utilizing a stick horse, and throws herself into it. Encouraged by her coach, her mom, and her community, Margarita begins to gain confidence as she grows into her independence and looks forward to her next chapter.
PG-13 | USA |2026 | 1h 41m
Directed by Lauren Meyering
Starring Lillian Carrie, Gretchen Mol, Tony Hale, Amy Landecker, Paul Walter Hauser
World Premiere: Tribeca Film Festival (2025)
Special Festival Selection: ReelAbilities Film Festival (2026)
Seattle Film Festival: Grand Jury Award for Best Feature Film
“Movies about life on the autism spectrum are often done from an outsider perspective. Horsegirls is not one of those movies. It focuses on a [character with autism] who is capable and sympathetic, while also explaining the challenges she needs to overcome and address like any non-autistic person would as well. The autistic portrayal is sincere without being patronizing.”
— Loud and Clear Reviews
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