This review was initially published on January 29, 2024, as part of our comprehensive coverage of the Sundance Film Festival.
In Esteban Arango’s captivating crime drama Ponyboi, the narrative kicks off with a drug deal that spirals out of control. The protagonist, Ponyboi (River Gallo), an intersex sex worker who operates at a 24-hour laundromat, unexpectedly acquires a briefcase filled with cash. However, his troubles are far from over, as his dangerous pimp, Vinny (Dylan O’Brien), is hot on his trail, especially on this fateful Valentine’s Day. Compounding his turmoil, Ponyboi learns that his estranged father, a conservative Salvadoran who expelled him from their home years ago, is gravely ill and nearing death.
Over the course of one harrowing night in New Jersey, Ponyboi embarks on a quest for safety, reconciliation, and connection, encountering a series of misadventures alongside various low-level criminals. While the premise may echo familiar themes—reminiscent of The Safdie Brothers’ Good Time—the sharp, engaging screenplay penned by Gallo and the intimate direction by Arango elevate Ponyboi beyond mere cliché, transforming it into a deeply resonant tale.
The Stellar Cast of Ponyboi Delivers Powerful Performances, Highlighting River Gallo as the Standout
Dylan O’Brien masterfully embodies the unsettling essence of his morally ambiguous character, seamlessly navigating the various facets of Vinny’s persona. Known for typically playing the wholesome boy-next-door archetype, O’Brien’s recent roles have showcased a more complex range, particularly his manipulative influencer character in Not Okay. In Ponyboi, he delivers a performance brimming with ominous energy, even while attempting to charm his girlfriend Angel, portrayed by Victoria Pedretti. Pedretti immerses herself entirely in her role as a Jersey trash archetype, complete with penciled brows and a leopard print fur coat, making her performance a joy to behold.
The weight of every moment is amplified by the looming presence of his father’s illness, as Ponyboi grapples with themes of forgiveness while seeking a way out of his complicated predicament.
Nevertheless, it is River Gallo, who utilizes they/them pronouns, that imbues Ponyboi with its emotional core. Gallo first brought this character to life in a short film that served as their thesis project at USC. In this feature adaptation, Gallo elevates the narrative beyond a simple crime drama, thanks to Ponyboi’s multifaceted identity. They channel every aspect of their character to deliver a performance characterized by an unwavering confidence that radiates like a guiding light amidst the bleakness of the Jersey night. The emotional depth of their portrayal is heightened by the ongoing tension surrounding their father’s declining health, as the concept of forgiveness looms large while Ponyboi seeks an escape from his tangled circumstances.
Ponyboi Transcends Typical Crime Drama Tropes
Ponyboi‘s most significant flaw lies in the very essence of its storyline—featuring intimidating Italian mobsters and cheeky sex workers among familiar archetypes that may evoke a sense of déjà vu. Even the character Bruce, portrayed by Murray Bartlett as a rugged cowboy and momentarily serving as Ponyboi’s protector, comes across as a well-worn trope that feels too good to be true. The harsh realities portrayed in the film serve as a poignant reminder, and Gallo’s unflinching perspective on an intersex sex worker striving for a better life offers a moving and authentic representation.
Crime films often succumb to the male gaze, filled with glitzy gunmetal and bloodied fists. However, Ponyboi manages to feel refreshing, even while engaging with these very clichés. It does not attempt to revolutionize the genre, nor does it need to. Instead, it demonstrates that queer narratives frequently add new dimensions to stories that have been explored repeatedly in cinema.
Ponyboi made its debut at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival within the U.S. Dramatic Competition section and is currently screening in theaters nationwide.
Ponyboi
- Release Date
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January 20, 2024
- Runtime
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103 Minutes
- Director
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Esteban Arango
- Writers
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River Gallo
- Ponyboi offers a refreshing perspective on the crime drama genre
- River Gallo infuses depth and nuance into their character
- The film presents a profound and intimate exploration of its themes
- Ponyboi contains a few familiar clichés, but they do not detract significantly from the overall impact of the film
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