It’s rare, but once in a while you’ll find a story based on a character that’s different due to their physicality and enacted by an actress with the same life alternating condition. Here we meet Lillian Carrier an actress with autism in a role that personifies the body and soul of the main protagonist in the movie Horsegirls. Not pretentious in any way, her presentation brings realism to the character. Search out the film Horsegirls for a hypnotic story that will stay with you way after the credits roll.
When we meet Margarita (Lillian Carrier) she is a 22 year old woman that lives with her mother Sandy (Gretchen Mol). Having had the unfortunate disability of as person with autism, her life of coming of age has taken her more as a surprise than a normal entrance that most teens have already conquered. Well educated, she has a college degree in English, but it hasn’t given her a road to living on her own. She also has the challenge of living with her mom who has breast cancer. Dealing with the challenges do not give her and easy road toward a future as she sees it.
After many discussions with her mom Margarita seeks out a job and finding one at a local novelty store. On the way home one day from work she sees young teens practicing for a hobbyhorse competition and it peaks her interest. With this in mind she joins the group secretly, hiding it from her mom. Margarita, being challenged from all sides of her young life with difficult decisions, odd friendships, and tough choices director Lauren Meyering brings a captivating film to the big screen that should offer tears of joy for most with a sprinkle of sadness as well.
Meyering treats her audience to a well-coached performance by Lillian Carrier as Margarita. The actress delivers a touching performance in spite of the demanding role that puts Margarita into a chasm a bit too tight for her protagonist’s high challenged situation. That said, I don’t think an actor that didn’t live as an autistic person could have given a better performance with the creative script. Gretchen Mol does an excellent job of developing her role as Sandy, a single mother who understands her daughter’s plight. Sandy finds herself at odds with the circle of control she has formed, but doesn’t realize how tight the rope has become.
Horsegirls has been rated PG-13 by the MPA for some strong language. Mature audiences 11 up should not have a problem with the content and may even grasp the meaning of friendship no matter the person’s challenges.
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Lillian Carrier, Gretchen Mol, Jerod Haynes, Tony Hale, Matthew Schwab, Iqbal Theba
Directed and Story by: Lauren Meyering
Genre: Comedy, Drama
MPA Rating: PG-13 for some strong language
Running Time: 1 hr. 41 min.
Opening Date: July 17, 2026
Released in: Select Theaters
Distributed by: Sumerian Pictures
