Hick

The movie begins in a small town in Nebraska, where Luli, a solitary girl, is depicted sitting on the steps of her school drawing. Her father, struggling with alcoholism, creates chaos by crashing his vehicle into a play structure, highlighting the turmoil within her family.

Luli's 13th birthday party is held at a bar, where the adults are too preoccupied with drinking to celebrate her special day. Among the questionable gifts she receives is a Colt 45 revolver, symbolizing the neglect and instability in her life.

After the party, Luli is left at home with her parents, where a conflict arises. Her father Nick tries to leave inebriated, but Tammy yells at him, leading to a tense moment where Nick grabs Luli to take her away, until a bartender ultimately intervenes.

The next morning, Luli finds her mother, Tammy, leaving town with an investment worker named Lux. Luli silently witnesses this betrayal, uncertain about her mother’s actions as she navigates her complicated family situation.

Luli, feeling abandoned and seeking escape, draws a path from her town to Las Vegas on a map. She creates a list of pros and cons for leaving, showcasing her awareness of the dangers while packing her belongings and the revolver.

Luli is picked up by Eddie, who agrees to drive her to Vegas after she tells him a fabricated story about her tragic family. However, their journey quickly turns sour when Eddie makes an inappropriate comment about her appearance, leading to an explosive confrontation.

While resting in a ditch, Luli meets Glenda, who offers her a ride. After trying drugs that Glenda provides, Luli finds herself embroiled in a chaotic scheme to rob a gas station, despite her growing unease with Glenda's actions.

At a bowling alley, Luli encounters Eddie again and learns there is a deeper connection between them, creating an unsettling tension. This moment forces Luli to confront her feelings of being followed and her growing discomfort with these adults in her life.

When Luli interrupts Eddie's pool game, he escalates the situation by wagering her in a bet. The night takes a dark turn when Eddie violently retaliates against a man attempting to assault Luli in a bathroom, further entangling her in a world of violence.

Luli wakes up to find herself in a cabin, tied up and disoriented. Eddie enters with flowers, displaying a twisted affection, attempting to convince her of some form of love while suppressing her desire for freedom, revealing his unstable mindset.

Glenda arrives to inform Luli about Eddie's dark past and the child she had with him, driving home the dangers of trusting him. The atmosphere turns volatile when Eddie confronts Glenda, leading to a tragic accident that changes everything.

In the chaos that ensues after Eddie's accident, Luli is faced with a life or death decision. Overwhelmed with emotion, she ultimately resolves to break free from her captor by taking drastic action against Eddie, showcasing her fight for survival.

Luli awakens in Beau's house, where he assures her of her safety and offers her a second chance away from the chaos of her past. He presents her with the option of living with his sister in LA, highlighting her need for a supportive family.

At the bus station, Luli contacts her mother, only to be met with more disappointment when Tammy expresses excitement about selling their house. This conversation pushes Luli to reevaluate her options and what home truly means to her.

As Luli contemplates her next steps on the bus, she finds a note from Beau with a phone number and address. Inspired to reclaim her life, she uses a trick learned from Glenda to compel the bus driver to stop so she can change her course, heading back toward Los Angeles.