Watch Stray Dolls

Stray Dolls is a 2019 thriller film directed by Sonejuhi Sinha and co-written by Sinha and Charlotte Rabate. The movie features Olivia DeJonge as Riz, a young immigrant who has just arrived in the United States. Riz is fresh off the boat, so to speak, and doesn't have any papers or proper identification. She finds herself in a precarious position with no legitimate job prospects, so she turns to a life of crime.

Riz lands a job at a motel called the Alamo, where she is employed as a housekeeper. The motel is located in a small, rundown town, which is also the base of operations for a gang of thieves. The gang is led by Una, played by Cynthia Nixon, who is the mother of the gang's only male member, Dallas (played by Robert Aramayo). Una takes advantage of Riz's vulnerable position and coerces her into joining the gang.

When Riz starts working for the gang, she quickly discovers that the motel is just a front for their criminal activities. The gang members commit break-ins and burglaries, which they plan and coordinate from the motel's back room. Riz is uncomfortable with the risks of being a part of the gang, but she is also desperate for the money, so she agrees to help out.

As Riz becomes a member of the gang, she grows close to Dallas, its youngest member. Dallas is reserved and quiet but has an artistic side that Riz is drawn to. They bond over their shared love of drawing and painting, which leads to a romantic relationship that quickly deepens.

Despite their romance, Riz's involvement with the gang becomes more dangerous, and she realizes that she cannot continue at the Alamo. As she navigates her way out of the gang, Riz's world becomes more complicated. She comes to understand the web of secrets and lies that Una has spun to keep her son and the rest of her gang safe.

Stray Dolls is an intense character study set within the framework of a heist movie. The film's central protagonist, Riz, is complex and engaging. She is a woman caught between her desire for a better life and her fear of being caught by law enforcement. Olivia DeJonge gives an excellent performance as an immigrant trying to stay afloat in a society that is hostile to her presence.

Cynthia Nixon shines in her role as Una, the unflinching criminal mastermind who preys on the vulnerable. Nixon's performance is nuanced and provides a glimpse into the motivations of someone who has made a life of crime. Robert Aramayo's Dallas is the most sympathetic member of the gang, and his and Riz's romance adds an element of tenderness to an otherwise gritty film.

Overall, Stray Dolls is a thrilling crime drama that paints a bleak picture of life on the margins of society. The movie's exploration of immigration, poverty, and crime is handled with sensitivity and intelligence, making it a compelling watch for fans of the genre.

Stray Dolls is a 2020 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.9 and a MetaScore of 58.