Cowboys is about a troubled father Troy (Steve Zahn) who has recently separated from his wife Sally (Jillian Bell), and decides to run off with his trans son Joe (Sasha Knight) into the Montana wilderness after Sally’s refusal to let their son live as his authentic self. His goal is to cross the border into Canada to begin life a new for him and his son. However, complications abound, from vehicle breakdowns, Troy’s mental health, the harsh elements of the wilderness, and of course a massive police hunt.

There are bound to be some mentions of Brokeback Mountain in reference to this film’s LGBT content, however Director Anna Kerrigan’s tale is more about one family’s struggle of acceptance, and a father and son on the run. In a modern day twist, it’s the father who is more accepting of his son’s gender identity, whereas the mother is intent on keeping her child as the daughter she mothered at birth. This leads to initial complications when Sally is offering identification and descriptions to the police to conduct the manhunt.

The wild mountain countryside adds for some great cinematography to this wonderful story. Young trans-actor Sasha Knight gives an outstanding performance for an actor of that age, and hopefully we’ll be seeing more of this talent in future films. With standout performances by all, Cowboys is the captivating story of a young man who knows exactly who he is, and a father who will do anything to protect that.

VOD/Digital Release: February 12, 2021. Watch now at Inside-Out

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats.