Fancy Dance

Two weeks have passed since Tawi vanished. Jax has become the guardian for her 13-year-old niece Roki on the Seneca-Cayuga reservation, trying to keep everyday life stable while the search stalls. The worry about Tawi's fate weighs heavily on both women.

With limited faith in the authorities, Jax and Roki survive by stealing cars and selling them to Boo, a trader who runs a convenience store and scrapyard on the reservation. The illegal routine becomes a dangerous lifeline that drags them deeper into Boo's world. Tensions rise as the risk of discovery grows.

Jax discovers that Tawi used to deal methamphetamine in the oil workers' camp on Boo's behalf. This revelation ties Boo directly to Tawi's activity and hints at why Boo's operation would protect or hide her fate. The connection expands the search beyond the reservation.

Child protective services and Indian Child Welfare authorities remove Roki from Jax and place her with her estranged white grandfather Frank. They cite Jax's criminal record and concerns about Roki's welfare. The move severs Roki from the only caregiver she knows.

Frank and his wife file Roki's abduction with the FBI in the morning, invoking federal jurisdiction over tribal lands. The case becomes an official missing-person matter that pulls in new resources and attention. The clock starts ticking for how the family will navigate authorities.

Frank and his wife are sympathetic to Roki, but they refuse to let her live with Jax or attend the powwow. The stalemate compounds Roki's sense of displacement and deepens the rift between the two households. Trust remains brittle on every front.

Jax promises Roki that they will meet Tawi at the powwow in Oklahoma City, and they decamp in Frank's car during the night. The decision marks a pivot from waiting for help to taking control of their own search. They flee together, uncertain of what lies ahead.

JJ tells Jax that Tawi was seen at Boo's mother's house in Tulsa, shifting the trail away from the reservation and into Boo's network. The information provides a critical new path for the investigation. The sisters race to follow this lead before it goes cold.

Jax learns that Tawi used to come by in a red pickup truck, a distinctive detail that ties her movements to Boo's circle. This clue narrows the scope to Boo's operations and their contacts. The search becomes more focused, more urgent.

At a Shawnee filling station, an attendant recognizes Jax from abduction alerts and tries to alert police. Roki grabs a stolen handgun from a handbag and, in a panic, fires, wounding the attendant in the shoulder. The incident heightens the risk to both sisters and escalates the chase.

While fleeing the scene, Roki confronts Jax about the danger she has faced and accuses her of lying about Tawi being at the powwow. The accusation cuts deep, revealing the strain of their relationship under pressure. The moment tests their trust but also clarifies their intertwined motivations.

JJ locates the red pickup in Boo's scrapyard, confirming Boo's link to the case. The discovery solidifies Boo's central role in Tawi's disappearance and brings the investigation closer to Boo's environment. The search teams prepare for a targeted approach to Boo's operations.

Frank calls Jax with devastating news: Tawi's corpse has been found in a nearby lake. The confirmation shatters any remaining hope of a rescue and intensifies the urgency around Roki’s safety. The family faces the grim reality that Tawi is gone.

Realizing that Roki did not accompany the police, Jax races to Oklahoma City for the Missing & Murdered Memorial powwow. The journey is a desperate attempt to connect with Tawi and to anchor their bond amid catastrophe. The scene culminates in a tense, hopeful moment on the dance floor.

The film closes with Jax and Roki dancing together at the Missing & Murdered Memorial dance, a symbol of resilience in the face of loss. A police officer recognizes Jax and radios the details to colleagues, signaling possible accountability and a glimmer of closure amid tragedy.