Hick

Hick

Year: 2012

Runtime: 95 min

Language: English

Director: Derick Martini

DramaComedyRomance

Fleeing a difficult past in her hometown, a teenage girl sets out for Las Vegas seeking a fresh start and independence. Along the way, she meets Eddie, a mysterious drifter with his own agenda, and Glenda, a woman on the run from her own secrets. As they journey together, the trio faces unexpected dangers and confronts their individual struggles, exploring themes of self-discovery and the possibility of redemption.

Hick (2012) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Hick (2012) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the wide‑open stretches of the American heartland, a restless teenager feels the weight of a small town that has never quite fit her. Luli watches the familiar streets from the edge of a schoolyard, already dreaming of a place where she might finally write her own story. The film opens with a quiet, almost aching atmosphere that blends the starkness of Nebraska’s plains with the restless hum of a young mind yearning for freedom. A sense of unease hangs over every scene, hinting at the personal ghosts she carries while suggesting that the road ahead could be both her salvation and her greatest test.

When Luli decides to chase a glittering advertisement for a fresh start in Las Vegas, the journey becomes a road‑movie canvas for self‑discovery. Along the way she encounters Eddie, a wandering drifter whose quiet confidence masks hidden motives, and Glenda, a mysterious woman on the run from her own past. Their brief, uneasy camaraderie adds layers of intrigue, as each character carries a blend of vulnerability and concealed strength that fuels both tension and unexpected moments of tenderness. The trio’s dynamic hints at a delicate balance between trust and suspicion, inviting the audience to wonder how far they’ll let each other influence their paths.

The tone is a mix of gritty realism and lingering melancholy, underscored by a subtle, almost lyrical visual style that captures the endless highways and the fleeting towns that blur together. While the desert landscape and neon promises of Las Vegas loom on the horizon, the film stays rooted in Luli’s internal struggle—a search for agency, identity, and the possibility of redemption. The mood invites viewers to sit with the hum of the road, the quiet conversations, and the persistent question of whether a new city can truly erase the shadows of a troubled past.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 07:13

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Road trip thrillers with desperate characters like Hick

Stories of desperate characters seeking escape on dangerous highways.If you liked the dangerous journey in Hick, explore more movies like it. These films feature vulnerable characters on the run, facing constant threats from the people they meet. They are tense, character-driven dramas about survival and self-discovery on the open road, often with a bleak or bittersweet tone.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a linear or episodic journey where each new encounter raises the stakes. The protagonist is usually running from something, and the road becomes a crucible that tests their resilience. The central conflict often shifts from external dangers to the psychological manipulation from within their makeshift travel group, leading to a climax that is both physically and emotionally violent.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here by their shared core structure of a perilous journey, a vulnerable protagonist, and a tone of constant, grim anxiety. They focus on the theme of seeking a fresh start in a world that is inherently dangerous, creating a coherent vibe of tense survival and emotional heaviness.

Grim coming-of-age survival stories like Hick

Young protagonists navigate a harsh adult world filled with danger and manipulation.For viewers who appreciated the harsh coming-of-age journey in Hick, this section collects similar movies. These films explore teenagers facing extreme adult dangers, parental neglect, and traumatic events. They are dark, intense dramas about survival and self-discovery, often ending on a bittersweet or bleak note.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative centers on a young protagonist escaping a broken home, only to find the wider world is equally threatening. Their journey is a series of escalating encounters with morally ambiguous or predatory adults, forcing them to grow up quickly. The arc is less about romantic discovery and more about hardening survival instincts, leading to an ending where safety is achieved but at a great emotional cost.

Why These Movies?

These films share a specific, dark subversion of the coming-of-age genre. They are united by a vulnerable young lead, themes of abandonment and survival, and a tone that is persistently grim and dangerous. The emotional core is the heavy weight of childhood trauma and the loss of innocence.

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Hick Summary

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Hick Summary

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Hick Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Hick

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Hick

More About Hick

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