War Pony (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
War Pony is a 2023 drama directed by Gina Gammell, starring Jojo Bapteise Whiting as Bill, LaDainian Crazy Thunder and Ashley Shelton. It runs 1 hour 55 minutes and earned $252,064 worldwide. Critics gave it 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 70 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Stream it on fuboTV and Paramount Plus, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 55m (115 min)
- Director
- Gina Gammell
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Momentum Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is War Pony About?
The premise of War Pony without spoilers.
Two Lakota boys, vastly different in age, embark on separate journeys of self-discovery on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Bill, a 23-year-old, pursues his vision of the "American Dream," while 12-year-old Matho seeks his father's approval through often impulsive actions. Both boys confront complex issues of identity, family relationships, and the challenges of loss as they navigate a difficult environment and struggle to find their place.
War Pony Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- young
- poverty
- native american
- pine ridge indian reservation
- tattoo on face
- father son relationship
- abandoned child
- drug dealer
- crush
- driving
- barking
- abusive father
+38 more Show fewer
- cell phone
- school
- buffalo
- telephone call
- homeless child
- marijuana
- lakota indian
- classroom
- racism
- puppy
- father strangles son
- title directed by female
- math class
- south dakota
- passing a note
- lakota
- lakota tribe
- drugs
- dog
- listening to music
- horseback riding
- watching tv
- indian reservation
- exploitation
- cigarette smoking
- lower class
- strangulation
- dancing
- single father
- tattoo
- phone call from jail
- car
- young boy
- bonfire
- singing
- pow wow
- poodle
- shooting a dog
Where to Watch War Pony
Stream it on fuboTV and Paramount Plus, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
War Pony Cast & Characters
Jojo Bapteise Whiting leads the cast as Bill, with LaDainian Crazy Thunder as Matho and Ashley Shelton. Directed by Gina Gammell; 11 actors are credited in all.
- Director Gina Gammell
- Jojo Bapteise Whiting as Bill
- LaDainian Crazy Thunder as Matho
-
Ashley Shelton - Ta-Yamni Long Black Cat as Donny
Also Starring in War Pony
· 7 more- Iona Red Bear Auntie
- Jeremy Corbin Cottier Baby Worm
- Jesse Schmockel Echo
- Wilma Colhof Mama
- Woodrow Lone Elk Elias
- Robert Stover
- Sprague Hollander
War Pony Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave War Pony 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 70 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 73/100, strongest in sensory experience (80) and weakest in story & flow (65).
War Pony Echo Score Breakdown
War Pony presents a modestly crafted debut that balances poetic visual language with grounded performances. Critics commend the documentary‑like cinematography, naturalistic direction, and careful production design that lend authenticity to the Pine Ridge setting. Viewers note the film's restrained editing and genuine atmosphere, though some find the storytelling uneven. Overall, the film succeeds as a sincere, if imperfect, portrait of reservation life, offering enough artistic merit to merit recommendation.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 78
In terms of art and craft, the film benefits from a restrained yet purposeful directing style and evocative cinematography. Reviewers highlight the poetic visual tone, naturalistic framing, and careful production design that together create a credible sense of place. The editing supports a measured pace without distracting flourishes. Collectively, these elements convey a competent visual foundation that elevates the narrative.
- Character & Emotion 70
When evaluating character and emotion, performances from first‑time actors are frequently described as genuine and emotionally resonant. Critics note strong chemistry between the leads and nuanced portrayals, though some comment that deeper character motivations remain underexplored. User feedback reinforces the impression of sincere acting, with occasional criticism of superficial development. The net effect is a solid, if occasionally uneven, emotional core.
- Story & Flow 65
Story and flow receive mixed appraisal; the film offers an original slice‑of‑life premise but the pacing is often perceived as slow. Critics acknowledge the avoidance of poverty‑porn tropes and appreciate the subtle thematic layering, yet they point to occasional narrative meandering and a lack of clear climax. Audience reactions echo this ambivalence, praising the overarching arc while noting a languid burn. The result is a modestly engaging, though uneven, narrative.
- Sensory Experience 80
Sensory experience stands out as a strength, with reviewers praising the film's visual composition and atmospheric soundtrack. The cinematography captures the stark beauty of the reservation, while the score is described as compelling and complementary to the story. Sound design reinforces the immersive environment without overwhelming the scenes. This cohesive sensory palette enhances the film's mood and aids audience immersion.
- Rewatch Factor 72
Rewatch factor is generally favorable; the film’s authentic portrayal and subtle nuances encourage multiple viewings. Critics cite its lingering emotional impact and the richness of its cultural context as reasons to return. Users who responded positively highlight its thought‑provoking themes and recommend repeated engagement, whereas the few dissenting voices focus on perceived narrative sluggishness. Overall, the film maintains sufficient depth to merit revisiting.
-
IMDb 6.8 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 93% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 82%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 70 Metascore
User score 7.8
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 63% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.7 /5
76 ratings
See on Letterboxd
War Pony Box Office
War Pony grossed $252,064 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$252.1K
- International
- $252.1K
War Pony Trailers & Videos
4 videos: 2 trailers, 1 teaser and 1 clip.
- Trailer Official Trailer
- Teaser Official UK Trailer #2
- Clip
War Pony Also Known As
10 alternative titles, including “Kara ponijs” and “Beast”.
- Also known as
-
- Kara ponijs
- Beast
- Poney guerrier
- 워 포니
- 孩子们
- Бойова конячка
- Savaş Atı
- Válečný pony
- 脫韁少年
- Rumaki wojny
Seen War Pony?
Movies Like War Pony
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Ponies, The War and Pony Soldier.
War Pony FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of War Pony, each answered in a sentence.
How long is War Pony?
War Pony runs 1 hour 55 minutes (115 minutes).
When was War Pony released?
War Pony was released on July 28, 2023.
Who directed War Pony?
War Pony was directed by Gina Gammell.
Who is in the cast of War Pony?
War Pony stars Jojo Bapteise Whiting as Bill, LaDainian Crazy Thunder as Matho and Ashley Shelton, among 11 credited actors.
Where can I watch War Pony?
In the US, War Pony is streaming on fuboTV, Paramount Plus and Paramount+ and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
How much did War Pony make at the box office?
War Pony grossed $252,064 worldwide.
How is War Pony rated?
War Pony has 6.8/10 on IMDb, 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 70 on Metacritic and 63% on TMDB.
Does War Pony have a post-credit scene?
No. War Pony has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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