Ava's Movie Reviews

My Thoughts on Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

I think Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is a really powerful film. It's not the kind of movie you'd typically go see in a cinema or a theatre, it's more of a streaming-type film. The kind that slowly gains popularity through TikTok clips and word of mouth. It's artsy, dramatic, and makes for a very interesting critique of the justice system, grief, and how unresolved trauma affects people.

The cinematography is strong, and although it appears to be set in modern times, I personally feel like it's set earlier, maybe around the time when segregation was still very present in America. That's just the vibe it gives off, especially considering the blatant racism in the town and the way the characters act. The town itself feels broken, and every character in it has issues they're trying to deal with.

The movie begins with Mildred Hayes, played by Frances McDormand, renting out three billboards just outside of town. She uses them to call out the local police department for failing to solve the case of her daughter's rape and murder. Her goal is to bring attention to the case again, which has seemingly been forgotten. This bold move sets off a chain of reactions in the town.

Mildred is not a perfect character, far from it. She's grieving, angry, and consumed by guilt. We find out that on the day her daughter died, they had a fight. Her daughter said something like, "I hope I get raped," and in a moment of rage, Mildred replied, "I hope you do too." That guilt haunts her. She believes that if she had just driven her daughter that day, none of this would have happened.

Woody Harrelson plays Chief Willoughby, the police chief who Mildred is directly calling out. He's not portrayed as purely bad, he's actually dying of cancer and struggling with his own problems. He ends up taking his own life during the movie, and his death becomes a turning point for several characters, especially Officer Jason Dixon.

Dixon, played by Sam Rockwell, is a violent, racist cop who still lives with his mother. She reinforces his behavior, subtly encouraging his worst traits. While we don't see too much of it on screen, it's clear she plays a big role in how he views the world. She even offers to go down to the station to help him get his job back after he's fired. It feels like a power move, like she's lost control over him and wants it back. But he refuses, which says a lot about where he's headed.

Dixon is shown to be violent and reckless. He beats people, throws someone out a window, and generally abuses his power. But he's also a product of his environment and his upbringing. Despite all that, he begins to change after Willoughby's death. He finally understands grief. Even after Mildred burns down the police station with him inside, committing arson and nearly killing him, he forgives her. He understands her pain now, because he's felt something similar. That shared grief is what brings them back together, in a strange way.

Eventually, Dixon overhears a man in a bar bragging about raping and murdering a woman in another country, possibly Afghanistan. He believes this man is guilty of a similar crime to what happened to Mildred's daughter, even though it's not the same case. Dixon gets DNA from him but it turns out not to match. Still, this man is clearly evil, and Mildred decides to go with Dixon to find him and possibly kill him.

By the end of the film, Mildred and Dixon have become unlikely allies. They don't tell each other much, and they don't act like traditional friends, but they've reached an equal understanding. Both have done bad things. Mildred committed arson and assaulted people. Dixon beat suspects and used excessive force. Their crimes aren't the same, but they both carry guilt, damage, and a desire for justice.

In the final scene, we see them driving off together. The camera lingers on the back of the billboards, the same ones that started everything. But this time, we don't see the harsh words or accusations written on them. They're out of focus. That shot symbolizes a new chapter. The pain those billboards represented is now behind them, and they're heading toward something else. Maybe not justice, but closure. Maybe vengeance. Maybe just a shared purpose. Whatever it is, it's not about the past anymore, it's about what comes next.

The film never gives us clear answers. It never wraps things up with a bow. Instead, it shows us that the justice system in America is flawed. Unless a case gets publicity, it might disappear into a filing cabinet, never to be looked at again. It criticizes how systems often fail people unless there's pressure from the public. And while the police system isn't completely broken, some people do get caught, it's inconsistent and unfair.

I found Three Billboards through TikTok, which makes sense. These kinds of films, ones that are emotional, raw, and visually unique, often gain traction through short clips that go viral. They stand out compared to blockbuster action movies or formulaic dramas.

This film also reminded me of Skin, another heavy movie that tackles the idea of change, guilt, and redemption. In Skin, the main character is part of a violent hate group but ends up going to the FBI after witnessing terrible things. Like Mildred and Dixon, he knows he can't undo the past or save everyone, but he tries to do something good moving forward.

Frances McDormand, who plays Mildred Hayes, actually won an Oscar for her performance in this film, and I think that says a lot about how strong this movie is. If it can win awards and gain that level of recognition, it clearly stands out. The characters are recognisable, the performances are amazing, and the story leaves a lasting impact. It's definitely a film I would recommend watching.

A strong film with standout performances, sharp dialogue, and great visuals. While not overly flashy in its editing or design, it carries emotional weight and has some truly memorable moments.