War Pony

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1:47

War Pony

R

2023

1h 55m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

55 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

At 23, Bill (Jojo Bapteise Whiting) just wants to make something of himself. Whether it's siphoning gas, delivering goods or breeding Poodles, he is determined to hustle his way to the "American Dream". Meanwhile, 12-year-old Matho (LaDainian Crazy Thunder) can't wait to become a man. Desperate for approval from his young father, a series of impulsive decisions turns Matho's life upside down and he finds himself unequipped to deal with the harsh realities of the adult world.

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Critics Consensus

With subtlety and authenticity, War Pony tracks the lives of two young Indigenous men and cements the two women behind the lens, Riley Keough and Gina Gammell, as talents to watch.

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Sergio Burstein

Los Angeles Times

A polished staging of an 'indie' character, but with a careful visual composition that reinforces this impression without leaving aside its artistic sense. [Full review in Spanish]

Oct 5, 2023

Full Review

Ty Burr

Ty Burr's Watch List (Substack)

Filmed on the traditional homelands of the Oceti Sakowin and Tongva Peoples, “War Pony” feels lived in, and lived hard.

Rated: 3.5/4

Aug 4, 2023

Full Review

David Fear

Rolling Stone

The film’s ability to take those genre beats and occasionally tweak them, twist them, and add something regionally specific to them keeps this from being just another tale of desperate decisions and tough times.

Jul 28, 2023

Full Review

Cameron Ritter

Geek Vibes Nation

A gut-punching glimpse into parts of life on a Native reservation. On the surface, War Pony could be the story of anyone from small-town America, but the layers of appalling history bring a unique weight that is difficult to ignore.

Rated: 7.5/10

Jul 19, 2025

Full Review

David Bax

Battleship Pretension

Like its subjects, War Pony is one of a kind.

Oct 24, 2024

Full Review

Ross McIndoe

The Skinny

The result is a film that is both unflinchingly gritty and wistfully dreamlike, mischievously funny and achingly melancholy. A film that feels alive in a full, unfiltered way.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 4, 2024

Full Review

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KB B

I thought this was a very worthwhile movie to experience. It's sad how many native Americans are forced to live. It's worth the watch.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/20/24

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Almendra A

The soundtrack was lit

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/15/24

Full Review

ira m

Very sensitive depiction of life in the Rez but also the coming of age for Matho. I've read it was totally scripted but it feels very natural and seems improvised. Nice going to everyone involved.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/14/24

Full Review

Paul L

This movie is good, great realisation and we can really see the emotions of the characters through the screen.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/12/24

Full Review

Aubrey P

Really stellar. Acting is genuine and wonderful all around. This film somehow manages to merge a slice-of-life style indie with a satisfying, full-circle plot. It's exceptionally skilled at showing, not telling. Tension abounds, comments on society abound, perspectives on masculinity abound, and yet, nary a word on any are ever spoken. Masterful, and on the level with any intellectual indie.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/09/23

Full Review

Jim V

The movie is pointless. It tries to show how hard life is on Native American reservations, but shows Native Americans as unwilling to improve their situation and preying on each other. There is no hope, there is nothing inspiring, it doesn't help the viewer to understand the plight of Native Americans who deserve much better. The end tries to inspire some hope but it is so random and still manages to depict Native Americans negatively. The only highlight is Redbone's classic song Come and Get Your Love. There are much better movies about life on Native American reservations like Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee and Wind River.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

11/18/23

Full Review

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Riley Keough

Director

Gina Gammell

Director

Jojo Bapteise Whiting

Bill

LaDainian Crazy Thunder

Matho

Ashley Shelton

Allison

Robert Stover

Colton

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Rotten Tomatoes Awards Tour Podcast

Riley Keough and Gina Gammell discuss Award-Winning Debut War Pony on The Awards Tour Podcast

Riley Keough and Gina Gammel Break Down Their Friendship and The Making of 'War Pony'

34:21

War Pony: Trailer 1

1:47

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Synopsis

At 23, Bill (Jojo Bapteise Whiting) just wants to make something of himself. Whether it's siphoning gas, delivering goods or breeding Poodles, he is determined to hustle his way to the "American Dream". Meanwhile, 12-year-old Matho (LaDainian Crazy Thunder) can't wait to become a man. Desperate for approval from his young father, a series of impulsive decisions turns Matho's life upside down and he finds himself unequipped to deal with the harsh realities of the adult world.

Director: Riley Keough, Gina Gammell
Producer: Ryan Zacarias, Sacha Ben Harroche, Gina Gammell, Riley Keough
Screenwriter: Riley Keough, Gina Gammell, Bill Reddy, Franklin Sioux Bob
Distributor: Momentum Pictures
Production Co: Kaleidoscope Entertainment, Doco Digital, Protagonist Pictures
Rating: R (Some Violence|Pervasive Language|Drug and Alcohol Use)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 28, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 28, 2023
Runtime: 1h 55m

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