This is a crime drama that feels like a LGBT pride scene meeting Uncut Gems with the setup which includes a drug dealer, a transgender individual, and operations falling apart. Altogether, Ponyboi pushes the envelope to new and invigorating heights. Directed by Esteban Arango and written by River Gallo (also one of the leads), Ponyboi has a narrative thatfocuses on trying to find a way out of hardship and abuse. No matter what the situation is, there are inevitable consequences around every corner.

The shifting tones of hopelessness make Ponyboi spellbinding. It crosses barriers that most films fail to and takes risks with openness on LGBT issues. The story is an exploration of success and failure involving legal processes. Overall, it is a vivid portrait.

River Gallo is Ponyboi, a transgender individual working at a laundromat under Vinny (Dylan O’Brien). Besides being a staff member of the laundromat, they sell drugs and work as a sex worker to make ends meet. At the same time though, Vinny takes advantage of Ponyboi. Vinny is a Jersey-boy drug dealer who has a baby on the way with his lady Angel (Victoria Pedretti). Vinny relies on taking advantage of Ponyboi and uses his abuse of power to make ends meet to salvage his (semi) wealthy life.

Ponyboi takes a turn for the worse. A wrongful death situation with a client leads Ponyboi down a horrid road on Valentine’s Day. The times when Vinny has helped Ponyboi out becomes Ponyboi s nightmare. The film transitions to a place where the characters are consistently trying to run from all their problems. This is what makes it so enticing. The wrongful operations take a toll and the performances of Gallo and O’Brien test the limitsin this non-stop thriller that makes audiences’ heads spin.

When looking at the pattern O’Brien’s performance, I realized he has shifted his acting in the LGBT category. This is the second film I have seen in this genre. He played a closeted man in Twinless which I saw at the Chicago Critics’ Film Festival and had the opportunity to interview him about. Twinless will open later this year.  That LGBT film centered on disconnect and now this one is centered around getting rich. O’Brien’s attitude shifts dramatically from one film to the next. In Ponyboi, he is a gangster who is not be be messed with.

The film is a powerful look at hardship. With Gallo’s performance as the lead and as the writer, there is an exploration of livelihood being impacted. When bad events happen, many flashbacks occur which are essential to staying hopeful aboutfinding safety from irreparable consequences. The film is riveting, dark, and colorful. There is no easy way to explain what to expect from Ponyboi because it is centered around a scenario that may seem real-world to most of its audiences, especially those who identify as transgender.

The odyssey of regret and karma are combined as two key cinematic components in Ponyboi. Gallo navigates the road of horror and the struggles a troubled past. Also, there is an underlying conflict about a choice to be made, i.e., should they reconcile with their parents and go home. Consistent abuse fuels the opportunity for a fresh slate. Ponyboi soars with heightened emotions that are mind-boggling. At times, it made me anxious,because the pace and cinematography keep the momentum over-the-top. Overall, it is a realistic cinematic achievement with layers of emotions melded with a creative narrative that makes the heart race. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.