Tribeca Film Festival 2025 Review: “Tow”
By Morgan Roberts
Director: Stephanie Laing
Writers: Jonathan Keasey, Annie Weisman, and Brent Boivin
Stars: Rose Byrne, Octavia Spencer, Dominic Sessa, Ariana DeBose, Demi Lovato, Simon Rex, Elsie Fisher, Bree Elrod, Corbin Bernsen
Runtime: 105 minutes
Year: 2025
Amanda Ogle (Rose Byrne) is down on her luck. In desperate need for some form of employment, Amanda goes from interview to interview in her car, which also happens to be where she currently resides. Her job search is upturned when her car is stolen. Soon recovered, the car was brought to a tow lot. But in order to get her car back, she must pay a fee. That is money she does not have. Stephanie Laing’s “Tow” is based off an inspiring (and downright infuriating) true story of one woman’s tenacity and gumption to fight a corporation exploiting poverty.
Amanda (Rose Byrne) in “Tow” | Tribeca Film Festival
The film opens up with the following statistic: The number of people who live in their cars is between 1 and 3 million people. Amanda was not simply residing in her vehicle for the flexible lifestyle, but out of necessity. After struggles with alcohol usage, Amanda was forced to move into her 1991 Toyota Camry. Her car was her home. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, over 650,000 people were unhoused on a given night in January 2024. So when she is slapped with a several hundred dollar fee for a car that was stolen, she attempts to use every means possible to get her car back, leading her to eventually recruit the help of pro bono lawyer Kevin (Dominic Sessa) as they square off against a bullying corporate lawyer.
“Tow” does something quite special. It aims to humanize those experiencing homelessness. While not all shelters are built the same, we witness Amanda’s recollections and encounters with other residents and shelter director, Barb (Octavia Spencer). With our current political and societal climate, as well as the growing misconceptions and fear-mongering surrounding homelessness, it is refreshing to watch a film squarely in Amanda’s corner. Amanda is largely self-reliant, resilient, and resourceful. But even she is no match against a system designed for her to fail. The realty that countless unhoused folks are in similar situations. Fines, adding up, unable to pay, but seeking employment. Unable to find employment due to unstable housing and lack of transportation. Rinse and repeat.
“Tow” is a film with a lot of heart, centered on restorative justice, individual perseverance, and the power of community. Byrne gives a grounded and incredibly empathetic performance as Amanda as she fight back against a system which exploits poverty and further disenfranchises vulnerable members of our society.
Grade: B-
Pair This Film With: “Nomadland” (2020) dir. Chloe Zhao; “North Country” (2005) dir. Niki Caro; “Wendy and Lucy” (2008) dir. Kelly Reichardt