As her mother Sandy (Gretchen Mol) grapples with an uncertain diagnosis, autistic 22-year-old Margarita (a revelatory 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 training. Encouraged by her coach (Jerod Haynes), her mom and her community, Margarita begins to gain confidence as she grows into her independence and looks forward to her next chapter.

Anchored by fantastic performances from Carrier, Mol and Tony Hale, Horsegirls is a moving dramedy that sneaks up on you while also shining a spotlight on a sport that is growing in popularity outside the U.S. Writer-director Lauren Meyering has expertly crafted an autistic lead character who is allowed to be all things: lovable, stubborn, hilarious, frustrating, capable and sweet.—Karen Kemmerle

Lauren Meyering