‘Ponyboi’ Movie Review: River Gallo Shines in an Identity-Minded Thriller
Photo from Fox Entertainment Studios/Gathr
From Jeff Nelson
Sometimes, a fresh perspective is what reinvigorates a familiar story. That’s precisely the case when it comes to Esteban Arango’s Ponyboi, which premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival before taking over a year to grace theater screens. The unapologetically queer drama marries crime thrills and authentic identity exploration in ways similar indie flicks dream of.
Over the course of a Valentine’s Day in New Jersey, an intersex sex worker named Ponyboi (River Gallo) is assigned an important client at the laundromat aptly named Fluff N’ Stuff. His pimp, Vinny (Dylan O’Brien), is dating Ponyboi’s best friend, Angel (Victoria Pedretti), who is pregnant – though the baby does nothing to curb Vinny’s unfaithful, dangerous behavior. Ponyboi’s session includes a drug deal that predictably goes wrong, leaving him with no choice but to run.
The holiday backdrop anchors this character study, even if it isn’t a significant narrative element. Angel tries to boost Ponyboi’s spirit, dulled by the loneliness his work can’t soothe, insisting he’ll find a “real man” outside of this harsh reality. Yet, he’s disillusioned by her relationship with the ticking time bomb that is Vinny, a ticking time bomb who abuses his power to sleep with both Ponyboi and a string of women.
His isolation stems from childhood trauma: After years of no contact, Ponyboi’s mother suddenly calls with news that his father is on death’s doorstep. He dismisses it as a guilt-driven plea from a hateful, religious man, but the weight of it lingers. Then, a fateful encounter with the charming Bruce (Murray Bartlett) offers fleeting hope in the form of a spontaneous Bruce Springfield duet, sparking a connection that makes Ponyboi yearn for another life.
Society relentlessly tries to define Ponyboi’s identity. Vinny pushes him toward female-affirming surgeries; a pharmacy assumes his hormone needs. Life’s cruelties make it easier for Ponyboi to surrender to unfair judgments. Rarely does cinema portray intersex experiences with such bare authenticity.
Gallo, who also wrote and produced the film, delivers a radiant and grounded performance, balancing tension and vulnerability. O’Brien is a scene-stealer as the sleazy Vinny, layering menace with pathetic desperation. It’s unlikely you’ll be able to look at this actor the same way again.
Arango’s direction elevates Ed Wu’s neon-lit cinematography. The New Jersey grit feels so textured and fully-realized, it’s as if you can touch it through the screen. Cristobal Tapia de Veer’s feverish score heightens the film’s dreamlike urgency and soft glimpses.
Ponyboi blends two familiar halves – a drug deal gone wrong and an LGBTQ+ coming-of-age story – into something fresh and compelling. Its power lies in asserting that self-discovery doesn’t end in adolescence. The third act’s overly pointed revelations soften the impact, but not enough to dull the film’s life-affirming resonance.
Rating: 3.5/5
Ponyboi hits theaters on June 27th, 2025.
