Ponyboi starring Dylan O’Brien and Victoria Pedretti gets an official release date

Scene from Ponyboi | Source: MUBI
Scene from Ponyboi | Source: MUBI

As it gets an official release date, the indie treasure Ponyboi—starring Dylan O'Brien and Victoria Pedretti—has fans humming with anticipation. Set to open in theaters all throughout the United States on June 27, 2025, the film breaks new ground by concentrating the narrative of an intersex protagonist performed by River Gallo, who also directs, therefore marking a milestone in LGBTQ+ representation in film.

It is the first narrative feature by and about an intersex person, giving a community hardly shown on film a very real and intimate voice. Under River Gallo's direction—who also acts in the title role—Ponyboi created waves during its January 2024 Sundance Film Festival world premiere. Since then, the film has generated great excitement for its original approach to narrative and innovative plot line.


Shattering preconceptions via identification

Emphasizing the lives of an intersex protagonist, Ponyboi investigates issues of identity, self-discovery, and resilience. Being intersex, River Gallo gives the part an unmatched realism, which makes Ponyboi the first narrative film about an intersex person.

This genuineness also permeates the way the movie explores underprivileged situations. It blends delicate moments, humor, and raw emotional intensity, creating a deep connection that early viewers will resonate with.


Star power directed toward a goal

With Victoria Pedretti and Dylan O'Brien in supporting roles, the film benefits from strong star power. O'Brien, who is known for Teen Wolf and The Maze Runner, plays a complicated and morally murky figure who comes across Ponyboi.

Pedretti, who is known for her roles in The Haunting of Hill House and You, plays a character who breaks social rules and helps people in strange ways. Both stars have been praised for their subtle roles, which go well with Gallo's great work.


Changing representation with Ponyboi

At its core, Ponyboi explores intersex identity while telling a universal story about carving out a place in a society that often resists difference. The movie questions the limited ways that LGBTQ and non-binary people are shown. In addition, it brings to the forefront of pop culture intersex stories.

Gallo's work is intended to teach people and foster empathy and understanding, which creates space for a wider range of stories in Hollywood.


Visualizing emotions for painting

Shot with a unique indie aesthetic, Ponyboi captures the raw and unvarnished challenges of its intersex protagonist by blending dreamlike images—such as whimsical, ethereal scenes that blur the line between illusion and reality—with harsh realism.

The juxtaposition emphasizes the conflict between Ponyboi's inner world and the hard reality of their surroundings, therefore producing an aesthetically striking and emotionally powerful experience.

Cinematography is a major character per se. It hugely increases the impact of the film. By using personal close-ups and bright color palettes, and grainy photography, it takes us into Ponyboi's world. The soundtrack features a combination of exciting choruses and unsettling melodies that mirror the protagonist's internal struggles and triumphs.


Ponyboi's future trip

Ponyboi is expected to make a significant impact in 2025. The film is set to resonate deeply with fans of independent cinema and unconventional storytelling, and it’s likely to be remembered for years to come.


Mark your calendars for June 27, 2025! Will Ponyboi spark the change indie cinema has been building toward?

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Edited by Sezal Srivastava
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