Tribeca Film Festival 2026 Review: “Sad Girlz”

By Morgan Roberts

Director: Fernanda Tovar
Writer: Fernanda Tover
Stars: Rocio Guzmán, Darana Álvarez, Tatsumi Milori, Tomás García-Agraz, Mónica del Carmen
Runtime: 90 minutes
Year: 2026

In her feature directorial debut “Sad Girlz”, Fernanda Tovar explores female friendship as two girls try to navigate the aftermath of a traumatic experience. Best friends Maestra (Rocio Guzmán) and Paula (Darana Álvarez) are together constantly; whether hanging out or at swim practice, they are by one another’s sides creating their most formative experiences as a duo. However, after a party, Maestra discover something has happened to Paula. Paula, now depressed, confides in her friend, sending the pair down their own paths in an attempt to repair Paula’s sense of self and safety.

Rocio Guzmán and Darana Álvarez in “Sad Girlz”

“Sad Girlz” is a powerful coming-of-age film. It balances humor, heart, and heaviness in really impactful ways. The film does a beautiful job of taking its time to introduce its characters and setting. Without this, the loss of innocence which occurs later in the film wouldn’t hold the same weight. Giving the audience the change to sit with Maestra and Paula in the before makes the shift to the after jarring and heartbreaking. The cinematography and color grading in the film also aid in this shift. At the beginning of the film, the imagery is bright and airy. As Paula sinks into her depression, cooler tones come into play with the weight of the circumstances looming over the film. Cinematography Rosa Hadit Hernández not only captures these tonally shifts beautifully, but has some of the best underwater shots I have seen in a film as of late. Additionally, Hadit Hernández manages to capture the magical twilight of girlhood and masterfully juxtaposes it to the despair at the loss of innocence.

Moreover, “Sad Girlz” hinges on its performances, with Guzmán and Álvarez shining in their respective roles. Both actors have the challenge of expressing little hints at their characters’ interiority. Paula, obviously, is shaken by what has happened to her, and in the aftermath, shuts down. Álvarez, even as Paula is consumed by her grief, her pain, and her sadness, manages to give glimpses to her character’s processing of the worst thing to happen to her.  Meanwhile, Guzmán must balance the rage, the guilt, and the drive of Maestra who feels as if she has played a part in Paula’s traumatic event and seeks both vengeance and any means to make amends. With their performances and Tovar’s script, the actors manage to capture the magic and turmoil of adolescence.

“Sad Girlz” is a breathtaking coming of age film which takes an honest approach to exploring trauma, its aftermath, and its path to healing. Stunningly shot, the film strikes an emotional chord with its grounded and powerful performances from its two lead actors.

Grade: B+

Double Feature With: “The Chronology of Water” (2025) dir. Kristen Stewart