Dirty Girl

A troubled, impulsive high school student in 1987 suburban Oklahoma City who resents family constraints and seeks escape. Her bold choices drive the road trip with Clarke as she pursues a connection to her birth father. Her journey reveals a desire to belong and be true to herself, even at great risk.

A shy classmate who is openly gay, forming a deep bond with Danielle. His sensitivity and loyalty are tested by heartbreak and danger on the road, but he grows more confident as he embraces his identity. He tolerates fear and stands by Danielle as they navigate pursuit and escape.

Clarke’s father, a domineering and homophobic figure whose actions escalate tension as he pursues the couple. His aggression and rigidity create danger and conflict, culminating in his involvement with law enforcement and consequences at multiple points in the story.

Clarke’s mother, who seeks to protect her son and eventually challenges his father’s cruelty. She represents a counterbalance to Joseph’s control and helps shape Clarke’s path toward independence and self-acceptance.

Danielle’s mother, a conservative woman engaged to Ray who is navigating her own marriage plans. She pursues Danielle during the road trip, highlighting parental expectations and the tension between tradition and a daughter’s rebellion.

Danielle’s birth father, whom she travels to find in Fresno. He is kind but ultimately rejects Danielle, revealing he has another family and a young daughter, which complicates Danielle’s longing for connection.

A hitchhiker the pair pick up who harbors a brief, complicated encounter with Clarke. His presence adds a layer of unpredictability to the journey and its emotional fallout.

Sue-Ann’s fiancé, a Mormon who represents the push toward a traditional, structured future for the family amid Danielle’s upheaval.