In the fictional town of Ebbing, Missouri, Mildred Hayes, portrayed by Frances McDormand, is a grieving mother whose teenage daughter, Angela, was brutally raped and murdered seven months prior. Frustrated with the local police’s lack of progress in solving the case, Mildred takes a bold step by renting three disused billboards on road leading into town. The billboards display provocative messages: “Raped While Dying,” “And Still No Arrests?” and “How Come, Chief Willoughby?” These messages are directed at Bill Willoughby, the local chief of police played by Woody Harrelson.
The billboards stir significant controversy within the community and attract both support and backlash. Chief Willoughby attempts to reason with Mildred but struggles to convince her to take down the billboards even after revealing his terminal pancreatic cancer diagnosis. As tensions rise, Officer Jason Dixon, played by Sam Rockwell, becomes increasingly aggressive towards Mildred and those associated with her.
As the story unfolds, we see Mildred’s relationships strained with her son Robbie and her abusive ex-husband Charlie. Tragedy strikes when Chief Willoughby commits suicide to spare his family from witnessing his slow decline due to cancer. This act further complicates the dynamics between Mildred and Dixon.
After a series of violent confrontations and escalating tensions in Ebbing, including arson against the billboards and retaliatory actions from Mildred, she finds herself teaming up with Dixon as they pursue leads regarding Angela’s murder. Their journey raises questions about justice, morality, and redemption as they grapple with their own flawed characters.
Ultimately, the film concludes ambiguously as Mildred and Dixon set out on a road trip to confront a potential suspect in Idaho while expressing uncertainty about their intentions—whether they will seek revenge or find another path forward.
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