Sad Girlz — Tribeca Review
Source: Tribeca
Fernanda Tovar’s debut feature, Sad Girlz, premiered in the Generation 14plus section of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival, where it won both the Crystal Bear and the Grand Prix of the International Jury for the Best Film in Generation 14Plus. After seeing it, I wouldn’t be surprised if it emerges as one of the standout films of this year’s Tribeca Festival as well. An astonishingly assured debut, Sad Girlz tackles difficult topics with remarkable sensitivity, balancing its heavy themes with a comforting warmth that feels like a hug or a familiar shoulder to cry on.
Source: Tribeca
The film revolves around the friendship between two 16-year-old swimmers, Maestra (Rocio Guzmán) and Paula (Darana Álvarez). After a party where Paula loses her virginity to her crush, Maestra begins to notice a subtle change in her friend, exhibiting the type of intuition or perception that only a best friend could possess. It feels as though Paula’s spark has waned. When she swims and dances, it seems as though her heart is no longer in it. With Maestra to support her, gradually, Paula begins to reflect on what really happened that night. The duo comes to the painful realization that her first sexual encounter was actually rape. However, Sad Girlz is not about the sexual assault itself; it’s about friendship, processing trauma, and trying to heal and push forward.
Source: Tribeca
Rocio Guzmán and Darana Álvarez deliver such strong performances that it’s easy to believe they’ve shared a bond for years. Their depiction of adolescence feels incredibly authentic, and Fernanda Tovar writes the characters as real people rather than trying too hard to make them relatable to a younger generation. Were it not for a few references to ChatGPT and COVID, Sad Girlz could possess a timeless quality; instead, those details firmly anchor the film in the present decade.
Sad Girlz feels like the teenage companion to Eva Victor’s award-winning film, Sorry, Baby (2025). Like that film, it focuses on the events leading up to the assault as well as the emotional fallout that follows, rather than the assault itself. However, Sad Girlz distinguishes itself by centering on the best friend's perspective, capturing the guilt Maestra carries after telling the perpetrator that Paula has a crush on him at the party. As a result, she not only wrestles with the fear that she somehow contributed to what happened, but also with the challenge of supporting Paula and figuring out how to do the right thing in the aftermath.
Source: Tribeca
What sets Sad Girlz apart from many films dealing with similar themes is its nuanced exploration of consent. The film highlights how someone can experience sexual assault without immediately recognizing it as such, only gaining clarity after the fact. It also examines the internal conflict that can arise when a person believes a sexual encounter is something they wanted, illustrating how assault can occur even when the perpetrator is someone they are attracted to and intended to have sex with.
Source: Tribeca
Visually, a sense of stillness permeates the film. Fernanda Tovar shows a clear proclivity for static compositions, as the camera seldom moves. This restraint lends Sad Girlz an almost voyeuristic quality, as though we are simply observing these characters going about their lives. Some viewers may find the approach cold or emotionally distant, but Rosa Hadit Hernández’s cinematography keeps the film visually engaging throughout. The imagery is filled with striking compositions, particularly during the swimming sequences, where the gorgeous underwater photography stands out. Complementing the film’s understated visual style, Wissam Hojeij’s score effectively underscores its emotional beats.
Source: Tribeca
Despite taking on some heavy themes, there’s a levity to Sad Girlz. It’s not that it makes light of the serious subject matter it addresses; in fact, it handles those issues with immense sensitivity and care. Rather, the friendship at the heart of the film serves as a source of comfort, giving the story a sense of hopefulness. Everyone needs a friend like Maestra to lift them up when times are tough. Ultimately, the film emerges as a moving portrait of girlhood, one that recognizes both its fragility and resilience, as well as the profound comfort of having someone by your side when the world feels overwhelming. Sad Girlz marks a fearless directorial debut from Fernanda Tovar and a heartfelt tribute to the power of female friendship.
Sad Girlz is currently screening at the 2026 Tribeca Festival.
