May 6, 2025 – Hollywood, CA – With a modern energy wrapped in vintage style, The Wilde Girls is already being hailed as a breakout indie hit—especially among younger audiences seeking stories that combine self-reflection with side-splitting chaos.
Above: Still from the Wilde Girls courtesy of Pendragon Pictures.
In what Film Threat’s Alan Ng calls a “throwback to the golden era of film,” the story follows socialite sisters Mattie and Tinsley Wilde—played by Cali Scolari (in her feature debut) and Lydia Pearl Pentz—who are thrust from penthouses into the punishing wilds of the Pacific Northwest after losing their fortune during the Great Depression. What begins as a clueless misadventure quickly blooms into a story of personal growth and sisterly love.
Above: Cali Scolari as Mattie Wilde and Lydia Pearl Pentz as Tinsley Wilde being educated about the ways of the forest by Sials Colter mountain man played by Teddy Smith in the WIlde Girls.
Critics are praising the performances of Pentz and Scolari, with Cinedump’s Jessie Hobson noting Pentz “steals scenes with a mix of deadpan delivery and endearing physical comedy,” calling her “the film’s real highlight.” Scolari, meanwhile, is earning acclaim for bringing “delightful obliviousness” to Mattie in a debut that feels “both playful and oddly immersive.”
Above: Clai Scolari is Mattie Wilde in The Wilde Girls.
“The Wilde Girls works because of the relationship between Tinsley and Mattie and the clever dialogue, sight gags, and silly situations the ladies are in,” writes Film Threat, while Screencritix calls the script “clever,” with “genuine laughs and touching moments” and “themes of growth, forgiveness, and resilience beneath the surface comedy.”
Above: Lydia Pearl Pentz is Tinsley WIlde in The Wilde Girls.
This modern screwball tale is also winning praise for its production value. UK Film Review calls the period details “convincing, from wardrobe to vintage vehicles to beautiful shots that capture the surrounding landscapes and wildlife.” Ng echoes this sentiment, expressing awe at how Hines “was able to create a period piece on a low indie budget, using sepia filters, soft-focus close-ups, and green-screen matte paintings to evoke 1920s-era buildings and landscapes.”
Above: 1932 Washington State in the Wilde Gilrs.
But it’s not just about the visuals. The film’s music, co-created by Susan Goforth and Timothy Hines, is receiving high marks for enhancing the emotional beats and giving the film a “road trip-like rhythm” that “ties together the sisters’ physical journey with their emotional one,” according to Cinedump.
Above: Mattie and Tinsley Wilde begin to grow as human beings from their trials in the forest.
Audiences should also watch for Teddy Smith’s performance as Silas, a gruff mountaineer who helps the girls connect to the real world and themselves. As Screencritix describes, he “gives Silas a grounded, heartfelt presence that adds weight to the comedy.”
Above: Calis Scolari, Teddy Smith and Lydia Pearl Pentz in the Wilde Girls.
From laugh-out-loud moments involving bears, bugs, and mud-covered meltdowns to poignant reflections on privilege and purpose, The Wilde Girls offers a surprisingly layered narrative that’s resonating with critics and preview audiences alike. Think The Simple Life meets True Grit—but with heart, history, and humor that speaks to today’s generation.
And for young women especially, the film stands out as a refreshingly female-forward comedy that doesn’t shy away from messiness, transformation, or laughing at yourself along the way. As one critic put it, it’s “a hidden gem that’s well worth the trek.”
Above: The Wilde Girls heiress learn ther is more to life than the clicking of coins.
The Wilde Girls hits theaters soon: Opening May 30 – Laemmle NoHo 7, Los Angeles and opening June 6 – Cinema Village, New York City. Nationwide release begins July 2025
Get ready to laugh, reflect, and maybe even discover your inner Wilde girl.
The Wilde Girls Trailer Link: https://www.youtube.com/embed/CSKd0dUOeWk
Media ContactCompany Name: Pendragon PicturesContact Person: Susan GoforthEmail: Send EmailPhone: +1 310-480-0837City: Los AngelesState: CACountry: United StatesWebsite: www.pendragonpictures.com
