Netflix hidden gem 'one of the best films' fans have ever watched

Irish Daily Star

21-04-2025

Netflix fans have been left in floods of tears after watching a hidden gem on the streaming service about a convict who finds new meaning to his life training horses.
The Mustang was released in 2019 and won rave reviews. It tells the story of prisoner, Roman Coleman, a violent criminal who is locked up in a prison in Nevada and played by Matthias Schoenaerts. The film begins with a helicopter rounding up hundreds of wild mustangs which will be 'broken' and then sold.
Roman struggles to deal with people and in a bid to find him something to do before he can be rehabilitated back into the society after being incarcerated for 12 years for attacking his partner so viciously he left her with brain damage, the jail sets him to work training the horses.
Each inmate is given a specific horse to train and they must have them ready for auction within 12 weeks. Forming a close bond with his horse, who he names Marquis, Roman begins to form friendships thanks to his work with the animal.
Matthias Schoenaerts won rave reviews for his performance in The Mustang
The film builds up to a heartbreaking ending about one man's desperate search for redemption after committing an appalling act of violence.
Directed by Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre in their first film and who had spent five years painstakingly researching some of the real life training programmes involving prisoners and horses, The Mustang won huge praise on its release.
The Guardian wrote: "Brilliantly, Schoenaerts almost underplays Roman's anger, lumbering slowly like a wounded animal, the downward slope of his eyes conveying a howl of rage. It's an electrifying performance."
With an almost perfect 95 percent rating on the film review website, Rotten Tomatoes, both fans of the film and critics had nothing but praise for the movie and the actors starring in it.
One wrote: "The Mustang is a unique character-driven film that is headlined by a jaw-dropping performance by Matthias Schoenaerts."
Another added: "It's an extraordinarily gripping film as it delves into social issues and humanity, cutting into your emotional foundation to see the world in a different light."
The Mustang is streaming on Netflix now
And a third said: "French filmmaker Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre, who also co-wrote, impresses with a feature directorial debut that displays an understanding of film as both craft and poetry. She also displays a reverence and hope for flawed humanity..."
Fans were moved to tears by the powerful performances. One wrote: "One of the best films I've ever watched. Matthias Schoenaerts and Bruce Durn are spectacularly authentic. The viewer is sucked into both the situation and the predicaments of the players. Just wonderful."
Another added: "This film is a visually beautiful and riveting story pivoting around the cathartic connection between troubled man and wild horse, and the ripple effect from that. I was completely emotionally invested."
While a third said: "Incredibly powerful story of forgiveness, growth, redemption, and finding joy and purpose after tragedy. Amazing performances by all!"
The Mustang is available to stream on
Netflix
now.