This roundup continues our coverage of narrative selections from the Tribeca Festival, showcasing how strong acting can elevate storytelling. Whether it’s Lillian Carrier’s heartfelt turn in Horsegirls, Rose Byrne’s career-best work in Tow, or the tightly wound ensemble in Birthright, each of these films thrives on compelling performances.

Horsegirls

One of the most endearing titles in this year’s lineup, Lauren Meyering’s Horsegirls is a sweet and sincere coming-of-age dramedy. Twenty-two-year-old Margarita (Lillian Carrier), who is autistic, loves horses and lives with her mother Sandy (Gretchen Mol), with whom she shares a deep bond. (Her name, Margarita, comes from the drinks her parents had the night she was conceived.) But their relationship is clouded by Sandy’s battle with breast cancer and growing concerns about Margarita’s future.

Margarita takes a job at a Halloween store run by Hank (Iqbal Theba) and soon discovers her passion for competitive hobby horse dancing. Under the guidance of her coach (Jerod Haynes), she begins to gain confidence and independence.

Carrier, who is autistic herself, brings charm, vulnerability, and energy to her role, making Margarita’s emotional growth feel both real and rewarding. Mol is equally strong, offering a performance filled with warmth and nuance. A minor drawback is that the film’s treatment of grief feels underdeveloped—it touches on the theme, but doesn’t fully explore it. Still, Horsegirls is a quietly powerful film that will leave a smile on your face.

Tow

Directed by Stephanie Laing and based on a true story, Tow tackles themes of justice, motherhood, and perseverance with emotional depth. Rose Byrne stars as Amanda Ogle, a woman living out of her 1991 Toyota Corolla in Seattle, separated from her daughter Avery (Elsie Fisher), who lives in Utah with her father. When Amanda’s car is impounded, a $21,634 tow bill sets off a year-long legal battle to reclaim her vehicle—and her life.

Byrne delivers one of the finest performances of her career, capturing Amanda’s vulnerability and quiet strength. Her chemistry with Dominic Sessa, who plays compassionate lawyer Kevin Eggers, adds warmth to the film. The supporting cast—Ariana DeBose, Demi Lovato, Simon Rex, Corbin Bernsen, and Octavia Spencer—adds star power, though their characters are less developed than Amanda’s.

Despite the heavy subject matter, Laing balances comedy and drama effectively. The film’s uplifting message about second chances and resilience resonates. (The real-life figures Amanda Ogle and Kevin Eggers served as executive producers.)

Birthright

Zoe Pepper’s Birthright, a darkly comedic thriller from Australia, follows unemployed 37-year-old Cory (Travis Jeffery) and his pregnant wife Jasmine (Maria Angelico) as they are forced to move in with Cory’s wealthy but cold parents, Richard (Michael Hurst) and Lyn (Linda Cropper). The couple has been evicted and is waiting to move into their new home, but Cory’s parents have little interest in helping.

What follows is a generational clash filled with escalating tension, biting humor, and emotional discomfort. (One argument over a beloved leather jacket is particularly unhinged.) The script walks a fine line between the absurd and the painfully real, and the cast meets the challenge with sharp, committed performances.

Hurst is the standout, embodying one of the most callous film fathers in recent memory—perpetually discontent, always judgmental. The entire family is abrasive and difficult to root for, yet the dynamics are so volatile you can’t look away. The story builds to a dramatic climax, but the ending lacks the punch it seems to be building toward. Even so, Birthright remains compelling thanks to the strength of its performances and its merciless portrayal of familial dysfunction.