The Rivals Of Amziah King (2026) Film Review

Amziah King, beekeeper, musician, and anchor of his community, reunites with former foster daughter Kateri after many years apart, and fends off threats to his honey business.

The Rivals Of Amziah King is directed by Andrew Patterson director of The Vast Of Night (2019). 

The Rivals Of Amziah King is two films in one, the first part is this fast paced, music filled film that gets you into the film’s world. While the second part plays out like a revenge thriller with some pretty unique and energizing music. It’s a very different experience that comes together quite beautifully. 

First and foremost the performances are all quite fantastic, Matthew McConaughey gives not only one of the best performances of the year but also his entire career. From the speech pattern, to the body language and how he interacts with the rest of the cart, it’s truly fascinating to see McConaughey at his absolute best here. He’s incredibly charismatic, genuinely funny at times and the most surprising part of it all he’s quite an excellent singer, he sings a song called “Quill” which is one of the film’s very best moments and truly shows the viewer the magic of this film. If there is one thing you are going to walk out of this film remembering it will almost surely be McConaughey’s performance. 

Angelina LookingGlass is a newcomer who gives a phenomenal performance and much like McConaughey, one of the best performances of the year. From the moment she enters the film you can feel the charisma from her, LookingGlass gives a very captivating breakthrough performance that easily connects to the film’s world and atmosphere. Her interactions with McConaughey are truly remarkable, it’s a prime example of two incredible performers going back and forth and not holding back at the slightest. The second part of the film where LookingGlass is put in the spotlight is when her already fantastic performance becomes truly remarkable, she’s able to quickly adapt to the atmosphere change and bring this quiet and focused performance that truly is well executed. 

The writing is nothing short of incredible, as mentioned earlier the film’s two parts have very different feels. The first part is a fast paced and moving story that really gets you into the film’s world and characters. The simple moments of Amziah King (played by Matthew McConaughey) talking to his band mates and friends is truly entertaining and quite beautiful, the raw performances here really do all of the talking and help connect the viewer much more easily. 

The second part of the film is much more of a heist revenge thriller but almost in this playful way. The music (from Erick Alexander, Jared Blumer and Ben Hardesty) as mentioned earlier, is quite unique in the case where it’s energetic but it strangely captures the tone that the atmosphere is asking for quite masterfully. Cinematographer Miguel I. Littin-Menz and editor Patrick J. Smith are partly thanks to this due to how beautiful they are at their craft. When you get some glorious shots of Alabama combined with the fast and neat editing you truly get some jaw dropping results. The second part of the film may come off as a very typical heist and revenge story, but the way it’s executed completely elevates the material. 

Overall, The Rivals Of Amziah King is one of the best films of the year and truly gives the viewer a very different experience. This is one that you should absolutely seek out! 

The Rivals Of Amziah King releases tomorrow in theaters. 

10/10 A+

Tuner (2026) Film Review

A talented piano tuner who suffers from hyperacusis discovers an unexpected aptitude for cracking safes, turning his life upside down

Tuner is directed by Daniel Roher which is his first narrative film. 

When it comes to bringing in all sorts of different type of styles, Tuner really delivers on that front. What may seem like a very typical crime thriller on the surface actually ends up being a whole lot more investing, captivating and is able to differentiate itself from a crowded genre. 

Leo Woodall really impresses here, not only is he able to capture the film’s thrilling atmosphere but he’s also able to completely adapt to the film’s more light hearted atmosphere when we get some romance between Leo Woodall and Havana Rose Liu. In a lot of cases film’s like this would not be able to juggle two very different atmospheres however the film is able to do this simply because it’s well paced and fits everything in like a glove. Which gives Woodall the opening to deliver the performance required, he’s able to show a level of skill here that is not only fun but investing. 

Havana Rose Liu is also quite fantastic here as well, she gives this proud and spirited performance plus her chemistry with Woodall is honestly the film’s best moments. There is this natural like feeling that connects Niki White (played by Leo Woodall) and Ruthie Waymon (played by Havana Rose Liu) one of the film’s best moments is when they are simply talking about life goals, it’s a quite beautiful moment that really brings the film together and really shows the talent of Woodall and Liu incredibly well. 

The writing is quite strong here, there’s a lot of character moments that work and just have this natural feel that the viewer can connect with. There are a few hiccups plot wise during the film’s third act however that is truly not enough to stop it from being quite investing. The story also might not be anything new, but it’s how the film goes about executing it is what makes this one stand tall. 

The technical aspects are truly fantastic, the sound design is effective and turns several scenes into giant paintings that the viewer explores with their eyes and ears. The editing is snappy and quickly brings the viewer into the experience, it helps keep the pacing in line and as a result feels like a quick watch (in this case that’s a very good.) 

Overall Tuner is a quite effective crime thriller that takes a plot that would be otherwise a bit forgettable and manages to turn into something investing and thrilling. The film does cross some familiar territory but the execution is effective enough to bring this one to the finish line. 

Tuner is available on all VOD platforms.

8/10 B+

Wasteman (2026) Film Review

Follows parolee Taylor whose fresh start hopes are jeopardized by cellmate Dee’s arrival. As Dee takes Taylor under his wing, a vicious attack tests their bond, forcing Taylor to choose between protecting Dee and his own parole chances.

Wasteman is directed by Cal McMau which is his directorial debut. 

Wasteman is a film that I knew very little about going in and walking out of it, this ended up being one of the best films of 2026 so far. From the brilliant performances from David Jonsson and Tom Blyth, to the detailed and disturbing exploration of the UK prison system, finally the thrilling atmosphere that will keep you focused the whole way through. The film has it all in this 90 minute package that is truly a powerhouse. 

The performances from David Jonsson and Tom Blyth are what make this film and contribute to just how fantastic it really is. David Jonsson plays his character Taylor with such power and delivers an old soul type of performance, the whole story of Taylor seeking redemption is truly fascinating. Jonsson portrays Taylor as a character who is constantly wrestling with deep sorrow and the huge mental toll of trying to reconnect with his son. It’s a powerful and grounded performance that keeps building up as the film goes on, Jonsson has shown time and time again that he is one of the best actors of his generation and that is especially the case here. 

Tom Blyth plays Dee an incredibly unpredictable, chaotic and volatile cellmate who brings this incredibly tense atmosphere into the film. Dee is the direct opposite of Taylor which only leads to several fantastic on screen tension moments, Blyth does such a fascinating job of putting so much chaotic and unpredictable energy into the performance, he does this in a very grounded approach rather than a cartoonish one you might see in other prison dramas. Much like Jonsson, Blyth has shown he’s one of the best of his generation and that continues to show here. 

But what makes Jonsson and Blyth so fantastic in the film is them together, the back and forth dialogue, the constant tension in the room it’s all there that builds this incredibly thrilling atmosphere that strikes the viewer when they least expect it. The two are perfectly paired and go all out with their talent, the two’s chemistry is built on mistrust, necessity and this fragile sense of mutual survival. It’s truly some of the most effective chemistry from a film so far this year. 

The look into the UK prison system is quite interesting and at times disturbing. Such as the lack of funding for staff which allows the prisoners to run rampant, smuggle, assault or kill. The film’s bleak atmosphere really paints this disturbing picture of focusing less on rehabilitation and more of the system struggling to keep order. The film leans into realism by having the location be the Shepton Mallet Prison, an extra touch is that 50% to 80% of the extras and background actors were actual former prisoners. Which gives the film even more rawness both in its story and the atmosphere. 

Overall Wasteman is one of the best films so far this year. It’s a fascinating film from start to finish and truly paints this disturbing picture. The performances from Jonsson and Blyth alone are a reason why you should watch this one! 

Wasteman is available on all VOD platforms.

10/10 A+

Tribeca Review: Clean Hands (2026)

The inspirational true story of hero drug cop turned recovery advocate Kevin Simmers and his daughter Brooke. The film examines the American drug crisis from the opposing eyes of cop and addict who were also father and daughter.

Clean Hands is directed by Jake Allyn who previously directed Ride (2024). 

Clean Hands is based on the true story of Kevin Simmers and his daughter Brooke the latter of which struggled with opioid addiction. The two navigate the American drug crisis on opposite sides of the law. While the film does strike in a lot of familiar categories, there is this beautiful level of rawness when it comes to the film’s performances that are quite easily the best part of the film. 

Zach Braff and Esther McGregor work wonders with the film’s father and daughter dynamic, there are plenty of moments here where the film really focuses on the facial expressions of the characters. That’s especially the case with Brooke, we see the pain and tears in her eyes that is truly gut wrenching to watch at times. McGregor does such a fantastic job of really bringing these moments right to the viewer and you constantly are reminded of what she’s going through as the film goes on. 

Zach Braff gives a very strong dramatic performance here, Kevin Simmers’s devotion to his daughter’s wellbeing is commendable and leads into some very powerful moments between the two. Braff is definitely more recognized for his comedic work, but Clean Hands shows he is incredibly capable of dramatic work. 

Clean Hands does unfortunately suffer from incredibly slow pacing and familiar story elements (even if the film is based on a true story.) The film also confuses itself by jumping ahead without bringing this connecting piece, however these issues are largely in the first act. Which I guess does work in the film’s favor since the rest of the film does pick up once it enters the second act. With that being said, you would not be blamed if you felt completely taken out of the film by the second act. 

Overall Clean Hands is not a bad movie, it’s an admittedly powerful story with some excellent performances that are bound to make you shed a tear or two. If you can get through the first act and the meds that comes with it, you will probably end up liking the film. 

Clean Hands currently has no distribution 

6/10 C+

Crime 101 (2026) Film Review

An elusive jewel thief’s final score puts him in conflict with a determined detective and an insurance broker, blurring the lines between hunter and hunted.

Crime 101 is directed by Bart Layton director of The Imposter (2012) and American Animals (2018). 

Crime 101 is essentially Michael Mann lite, but it still is quite great in its own ways, even if the film may not be doing anything new. But it is still a quite fun time all around.

The performances are what really make the movie work. Chris Hemsworth gives a strong performance and brings nuance to his character, Hemsworth captures the film’s atmosphere almost immediately and only adds on to it as the plot starts to reveal itself. Mark Ruffalo is reliably intense and Halle Berry serves as the emotional weight of the film, she works incredibly well with the rest of the cast and has a ton of great moments with Hemsworth. Barry Keoghan much like Hemsworth (all be it in a much more louder way) fits the atmosphere and goes all out when required. 

The visuals are quite strong with cinematographer Erik Wilson really bringing the film’s world to life, the classic L.A. crime setting pops out wonderfully and the attention to detail with the lighting is genuinely gorgeous. The tension during the film’s man car chase scenes are filled to the brim with atmosphere and thrills that are enough to keep the viewer invested, they never go over the top and try to remain as focused as possible. 

Where Crime 101 suffers is the running time and a bit of a very thinly written story. The film goes on for a bit too long especially with scenes with Maya (played by Monica Barbaro) who is Mike/James Davis’s (played by Chris Hemsworth) love interest that just really do not add to the plot. The story isn’t exactly anything new, if you have seen any sort of crime thriller before you are going to recognize a lot of different elements almost immediately. 

With that being said, Crime 101 is still a lot of fun. It’s not going to break any new ground, however it’s well directed, acted and made. If you are a fan of the genre you should give this one a go. 

Crime 101 is available on all VOD platforms.

7/10 B

Caught Stealing (2025) Film Review

When his punk-rock neighbour asks him to take care of his cat for a few days, New York City bartender Hank Thompson suddenly finds himself caught in the middle of a motley crew of threatening gangsters who all want a piece of him.

Caught Stealing is directed by Darren Aronofsky director of Pi (1998), Requiem For A Dream (2000), The Fountain (2006), The Wrestler (2008), Black Swan (2010), Noah (2014), Mother! (2017) and The Whale (2022). 

Darren Aronofsky has always been one of my favorite filmmakers, his ability to bring out transformative or flat out incredible performances from a lot of actors is just fascinating. While I’m always going to prefer Aronofsky’s more dramatic work, It’s always nice to see Aronofsky have a lot of fun and go for something completely different here. 

Austin Butler is oozing with charisma and almost immediately captures the atmosphere that the world of the film demands. Every single moment you feel this gravitational pull towards his character Henry “Hank” Thompson and the world around him. Butler’s performance only gets more and more electrifying as the film goes on especially with the film’s tone that quickly becomes more brutal and darker. Butler gives one of the best performances of the year, this is the type of performance of what makes an actor so interesting especially sensing the confidence within the performance. 

The supporting performances are just as fantastic, Zoë Kravitz’s chemistry with Butler is captivating and even if her part is not as massive, the time she does have she uses well and brings this passionate bond the film shows through Butler and Kravitz’s chemistry. Matt Smith and Regina King are both fantastic here as well, both capture the energy and atmosphere of their respective roles. Smith being more chaotic and King bringing her strength and pedigree. Tonic the cat is also a fun addition to the film who does a fantastic job with the film’s more comedic moments. 

The writing is atmospheric, thrilling and genuinely funny at times. It’s a nice balance between the three, none of which completely overwhelm one another. The writing has moments of brutality which is where the depth for these characters comes from, we explore a bit about them. Even if at times there is a bit of surface level information, what we do learn is admittedly fascinating which keeps the viewer in for the ride. The comedic elements are on the black comedy side of things, but are effectively used sparingly and do not take away from the more dramatic ones. 

Aronofsky does a fascinating job of capturing this 1990s New York landscape, he invests a ton of energy in creating this beautiful feel that you can’t help but look around. This is definitely one of Aronofsky’s bigger in scale films, perhaps his biggest since Noah (2014). But unlike Noah (2014) where it felt very overwhelming and a giant mess in general, Caught Stealing is a lot more focused and has a lot more interesting elements happening on screen. You have the chaotic nature of the cast and their characters, the brutality of the film, the film’s black comedy and the strong cinematography from Matthew Libatique. 

Overall Caught Stealing is such a chaotic and fun ride from beginning to end, that Aronofsky does such a fascinating job of capturing the crazed experience. 

Caught Stealing is available on all VOD platforms.

9/10 A

Highest 2 Lowest (2025) Film Review

When a powerful music mogul is targeted by a ransom plot, he is forced to fight for his family and legacy while jammed up in a life-or-death moral dilemma.

Highest 2 Lowest is directed by Spike Lee director of Do The Right Thing (1989), Malcolm X (1992), Inside Man (2006), Old Boy (2013), BlacKkKlansman (2018), Da 5 Bloods (2020) and many others. The film serves as an English-language remake of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 Japanese film High and Low. 

Highest 2 Lowest is sort of a fascinating one, it’s obviously not going to hold candle to Kurosawa’s film but unlike Lee’s attempt at tackling Old Boy this one fairs a lot better due to its cast, the decently fun atmosphere and a few scenes that make the film stand tall. 

Denzel Washington is to no one’s surprise quite fantastic here. Washington is one of those actors who constantly brings in powerhouse performances and here is no exception, while the writing does get very messy towards the end. Washington’s performance remains consistently striking throughout the film, it’s a classic showcase of a powerhouse actor who elevates the material even when said material is at its low points. A lot of what I said about Washington can be said about Jeffery Wright, his ability to portray a nuanced and authentic bond is incredibly investing. 

A$AP Rocky is also quite excellent here as well, Spike Lee has said that Rocky went “toe to toe” with Washington and he is not exactly wrong. There are plenty of scenes here that display Rocky keeping up with Washington, the chemistry between the two works incredibly well especially during one certain scene that’s also one of the film’s best. This is the type of performance that shows a lot of potential for an actor. 

The writing is where the film falls a bit, the character writing that we get from the first half of the film is quite great, we get some solid introductions to the characters. The writing itself does a pretty good job of making the New York setting feel alive, plus I will give credit where credit is due that this manages to be a quite different take on High and Low. With that being said the third act is where things fall apart, a lot of the character writing (or writing in general) that the rest of the movie built up to lacked power and led to messy execution. 

With that being said, I do think Highest 2 Lowest is still quite great. The character writing definitely needed more power and the pacing ultimately does hurt the film in the end, but Spike Lee does seem like he’s having a blast directing the film and the cast really makes this work as well as it does. 

Highest 2 Lowest is available on Apple TV+ 

8/10 B+

Roofman (2025) Film Review

After escaping from prison, former soldier and professional thief Jeffrey Manchester finds a hideout inside a Toys “R” Us, surviving undetected for months while planning his next move. However, when Jeffrey falls for a divorced mom, his double life starts to unravel, setting off a compelling and suspenseful game of cat and mouse as his past closes in.

Roofman is directed by Derek Cianfrance director of Brother Ted (1998), Blue Valentine (2010), The Place Beyond The Pines (2012) and The Light Between Oceans (2016). 

Often times I find that films that are about bizarre true stories where if you told someone who was completely unfamiliar them they would look at you like you have five heads to be the most interesting. That’s especially the case here with Roofman a film that tells the story of Jeffery Manchester a spree robber who escaped prison and who hid in a Toys R Us, he escaped in June 2004 and was recaptured in January 2005. It’s a bizarre story that the film tells incredibly well, there is even a lot of heart in the film as well. 

First and foremost the performances here are quite fantastic, Channing Tatum gives such a wonderful performance that captures the bizarre nature of the story as well as just being incredibly charming. He has so much charisma and works with the rest of the cast effortlessly, there’s this sense of vulnerability that is shown through the film’s more quiet moments. It’s a bit surprising to see given the film’s story but at the same time it’s not, Cianfrance’s usual bringing out career worthy best performances from several actors is present here and that can be argued for Tatum. 

The film also does not undermine the effect the actions of what Jeffery (played by Channing Tatum) has had on the people in his life, even showing how people who were caught in the crossfire were hurt, it’s done in this way that is meaningful and shows everyone’s reactions in this detail that has a lot of emotion and power. 

Much like Tatum, Kristen Dunst gives an incredible performance here. A lot of what I said about Tatum’s performance can be said about Dunst. Her chemistry with Tatum is absolutely wonderful and really elevates the film, the close-up shots of the two is emotional and really pushes the film to greatness. Dunst has this charm to her performance that also shares vulnerability, the scenes of Dunst and Tatum just talking about each other and sharing their life story are some of the film’s most powerful and intimate moments that truly make the film. 

The writing is truly fascinating here, this is one of those films that gives the supporting cast no matter how small of a part they have something to do. LaKeith Stanfield is of course fantastic and Peter Dinklage gives a humorous performance. The writing also does a great job of balancing the dramatic moments with the humor, the humor is not the main focus of the story (which the trailer would make you believe that it is) but it’s still present and blends well with the dramatic moments. The character writing from this film is shockingly quite great, it brings the viewer’s interest quickly and does a wonderful job of giving these characters the rawness they need. 

Finally there is Cianfrance’s direction which is quite excellent, as mentioned before he loves to bring out career best worthy performances and that’s the case here with Tatum. The humor and drama he brings to the story is carefully put together, one does not overwhelm the other. It’s all done in this sort of direction that has a lot of heart and care, which is a very interesting approach to such a bizarre story that really works. 

Roofman is available on all VOD platforms. 

8/10 B+

Americana (2025) Film Review

A shy waitress and a lovelorn military veteran find themselves in the crosshairs of a ruthless criminal as they try to retrieve a rare Native American artifact.

Americana is directed by Tony Tost which is his directorial debut. 

Americana is the result of a film that mixes several different type of genres incredibly well, often times you see some films not very confidently attempt to do way too much in a limited amount of time. While there are the occasional script issues here and there with Americana, the film does a fantastic job of being this neo-western, crime and thriller ride that gets more chaotic and quite fun as it goes on. 

The cast and its characters are what make the film and its world standout. Everyone here does a fantastic job even when they don’t get a whole lot to do, Sydney Sweeney hits it out of the park with her performance as Penny Jo Popplin. Even if her character isn’t really explored in great detail it’s Sweeney’s performance that makes the character work. She’s lovable and serves as the viewers POV in some areas of the film plus her interactions with the rest of the cast and their characters is more than enough to connect with her. Sweeney gives such a sweet performance that might be a bit more quiet than some of her other performances, it might not be this big powerhouse performance like her portrayal of Reality Winner in Reality (2023) but it shows range for Sweeney as an actress and she gets the job done incredibly well here. 

Halsey who is a singer-songwriter surprised me, up until this point we have only seen Halsey either in a cameo (A Star is Born (2018) ) or an incredibly brief role (MaXXXine). The singer to actor pipeline can be difficult to pass through, however Halsey quite easily makes it through here. She gives a genuinely strong, touching and beautiful performance that quickly gets the attention from the viewer. She plays Mandy Starr who is quite important to the film’s plot and the other character we see this film’s world through, Halsey is able to match the film’s chaotic atmosphere with tons of dialogue thrown in between that make her standout as an actress. Her interactions with her family are some of the film’s best moments giving this look into Mandy Starr’s family and why she desperately wants to run and try to get a better life with her son. 

Paul Walter Hauser, Eric Dane, Simon Rex and the rest of the cast are all fantastic, Hauser is hilarious, fun and has great chemistry with Sydney Sweeney which leads to some genuinely heartwarming interactions. Eric Dane is hilarious as well, he can switch from being threatening to downright humorous (whether it was intended or not.) Simon Rex makes for a great antagonist who is genuinely threatening and displays why he’s such a great actor. He might not get the most to do until towards the last act of the film, but it’s still quite a great performance. 

The writing holds strong heavily due to the interactions between the characters, each of these characters have these bizarre and interesting traits to them as well as storylines that are genuinely well executed. There’s a heist which while is the main focus of the film still manages to be fun, there’s also these jabs at people who do cultural appropriation (a kid thinks he’s the reincarnation of a Native American and gets grilled for it.) Then there’s also Mandy Starr’s story which I have already said is quite well done and genuinely heartbreaking. Each of these storylines work because of the interactions between the cast, they feel raw at times and really compliment the film’s atmosphere and style it’s going for.

Speaking of which the atmosphere and style have Coen Brothers and Quentin Tarantino DNA in them that works incredibly well. The atmosphere has this old soul to it that strikes with some action filled moments that are very reminiscent to the classic western film. It’s a fast paced film that has much going on in each shot, the cinematography from Nigel Bluck is sharp and has this certain feel that captures the neo-western genre so beautifully. The last moments of the film and how they are wrapped up are complimented well due to the cinematography and the sharp tight camera angles. 

Overall Americana is a fantastic film that not only captures the beauty of the western genre, but is striking in its own right. Excellent character interactions, acting and writing really make this one worth giving a go! 

Americana releases in theaters Friday! 

9/10 A

Ponyboi (2025) Film Review

Unfolding over the course of Valentine’s Day in New Jersey, a young intersex sex worker must run from the mob after a drug deal goes sideways, forcing him to confront his past.

Ponyboi is directed by Esteban Arango director of Blast Beat (2020). 

Ponyboi is one that surprised me with how much I ended up really liking it, while the crime thriller elements are not exactly anything new and are by far the weakest part of the film. The film is backed by a pretty excellent cast who does a fantastic job of moving this story, a very strong atmosphere, some beautiful shots and a soundtrack that makes great use of certain songs. 

The performances as I said before are quite excellent, River Gallo gives such a beautiful leading performance that ends up being the heart of the film, it helps that they also wrote the script so Gallo can easily connect with the material and can push an already great performance into something quite special. Gallo’s character Ponyboi is exploring their identity in this quite raw and very focused way that quickly connects with the viewer. The cinematography from Ed Wu really compliments Ponyboi as a character as it focuses on them and in a lot of ways does some character development, Gallo’s body language, speech and interactions with the rest of the cast is truly fantastic here. You get the feeling constantly throughout the film that Gallo wants you to feel connected and that shows right during the first scene to the very end.

Dylan O’Brien is very unhinged in the best way possible, he’s genuinely terrifying at times and really sells the character quite well. Victoria Pedretti’s character may not have the most character writing but she still gives a solid performance that captures the film’s atmosphere. Lastly you have Murray Bartlett who gives his third great performance this year (the other two being Opus and O’Dessa), Bartlett only has a handful of scenes but he makes great use of those moments and delivers a honest performance, he also has pretty strong chemistry with River Gallo. Indya Moore isn’t in the film all that much but there is one particular scene that is incredibly powerful and meaningful that the viewer is going to remember for the rest of the film. 

The script from River Gallo is quite excellent, Gallo is intersex (which fun fact this is the first feature film an openly intersex actor plays an intersex person) which makes the film feel much more personal since Ponyboi is intersex. Ponyboi’s experiences don’t just feel like you are being told about them, it feels like you are seeing them for yourself or you are being invited to this story by a friend you haven’t spoken to in a long time. I already said how the cinematography from Ed Wu compliments Ponyboi as a character, but not only does it do that but it has this atmospheric feel that captures the world around Ponyboi. It’s truly breathtaking and has so much going on that you want to explore. 

The film’s first 15-20 minutes is pretty chaotic, there’s a lot going on and you really can’t help but love it. It definitely has this feel of Sean Baker’s work but manages to be its own thing as well. The soundtrack and the use of songs such as “My Heart Can Feel No Pain” by the Tonettes is quite well done and really fits the atmosphere the film is going for. The score from Cristobal Tapia de Veer is beautiful, tense and striking all at the same time.

Overall Ponyboi is one of the best films of the year. It’s an incredibly well acted, directed and written film that immediately brings the viewer’s interest to the screen right from the beginning. I can’t wait to see what Arango and Gallo do next. 

Ponyboi is currently in theaters.

9/10 A