Last night at SIFF Film Center I watched Horsegirls, and it completely won me over. I’ll admit, I walked in knowing almost nothing about hobbyhorsing. The premise sounded quirky enough to make me curious, but what I found was something far more meaningful than I expected. At the heart of the film is Margarita, a 22-year-old autistic woman trying to navigate adulthood while her mother faces cancer treatment. When she discovers the surprisingly competitive world of hobbyhorsing, it becomes more than just a new hobby. It becomes a place where she’s encouraged, challenged, and accepted for exactly who she is.
Lillian Carrier gives an incredible performance that feels honest, funny, and deeply authentic. Margarita isn’t defined by her diagnosis. She’s stubborn, imaginative, determined, occasionally frustrating, and wonderfully lovable. The film allows her to be a fully realized person, and that’s what makes her journey so compelling. Gretchen Mol is equally fantastic as Margarita’s mother, capturing the complicated balance between wanting to protect your child and knowing you have to let them grow. Their relationship is the emotional anchor of the film, and it’s handled with remarkable warmth.
What surprised me most was how funny the movie is. The humor never comes at Margarita’s expense. Instead, it celebrates the wonderfully eccentric community she’s welcomed into, reminding us that finding your people can change everythingWatching it with a SIFF audience made the experience even better. There was constant laughter, but also moments of complete silence as the emotional scenes landed. Funny, heartfelt, and full of compassion. One of those films that quietly restores your faith in people.
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