Lily Gladstone

Isabel Deroy-Olson

Ryan Begay

Shea Whigham

Audrey Wasilewski

Crystle Lightning

Tamara Podemski

Patrice Fisher

Ryan RedCorn

Jason Alan Smith

Lillian Faye Thomas

Casey Camp-Horinek

Tyler Tipton

Dennis Newman

Trey Munden

Arianne Martin

Blayne Allen

Michael Rowe

Hauli Gray

Blake Blair

Miciana Alise

Kylie Dirtseller

Colleen Elizabeth Miller

Cory Hart

P.J. Sosko

Bryan Binder

Erica Tremblay

Deidre Backs

Heather Rae

Nina Yang Bongiovi

Tommy Oliver

Bird Runningwater

Charlotte Koh

Carolina Costa

Robert Grigsby Wilson

Samantha Crain

Amy Higdon

Marisa Defranco

Stacey Rice

Nathan Carlson

Amira Borg

James Spiteri

Loren Waters

Charlotte Royer

Sierra Revis

Tafv Sampson

Stacy Suvino

Forest Whitaker

Macy Hays

Sydne Rain Gray

Tahlee Redcorn

Micah Floyd

Klein Haley

Michelle C. McGhan

Krista Perry

Jake Basnett

Madison Wofford

Dylan Brodie

Charles E. Elmore

Philip Byrd

Mark Gullickson

Sharon Tabb

Drama

Fancy Dance

Confluential Films

Significant Productions

United States of America

Brent Marchant

It’s frustrating to watch a movie that gets most everything right but ends up going off the rails when it really counts. Such is the case with writer-director Erica Tremblay’s third feature outing about a Native American woman (Lily Gladstone) from Oklahoma’s Seneca-Cayuga Reservation who goes in search of her missing sister (Hauli Gray) at the Grand Nations Powwow in Oklahoma City with her 13-year-old niece (Isabel Deroy-Olson) in tow. But the duo’s road trip odyssey soon turns into a statewide crime-ridden misadventure not unlike the narrative in “Thelma & Louise” (1991). Much of this multilayered tale is actually carried off quite skillfully, spotlighting the challenges that indigenous people (especially women) face and presenting a story with a capably executed, tension-filled, edge-of-your-seat quality, prompting viewers to wonder what’s coming next. However, as the story wears on, it becomes increasingly implausible, culminating in a climax that’s more than a little difficult to believe, its heartfelt sentiments notwithstanding. There are also some intriguing back story elements scattered throughout that, quite frankly, could have been better developed and resolved. That’s indeed a shame, considering how these shortcomings undermine the production’s many strong points. These weaknesses also take away from the outstanding performances of Gladstone (who turns in even better work here than in her Oscar-nominated role in “Killers of the Flower Moon” (2023)) and Deroy-Olson in her big screen debut, as well as an outstanding cast of supporting players. This AppleTV+ original truly has a lot in its favor, but it’s unfortunate that it didn’t carry through on its strengths throughout the entire film. A near hit but one that doesn’t live up to its promise or potential.

English

How Lily Gladstone’s Lived Experience on Reservation informed ‘Fancy Dance’

Another Take: Lily Gladstone, Isabel DeRoy-Olson and Erica Tremblay

Comparing Scenes: Fancy Dance & Killers of the Flower Moon with Lily Gladstone

A Love Letter to Indigenous Women — Lily Gladstone & Isabel Deroy-Olson

Official Trailer