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Hollow in the Land (2017) movie poster

Plot Summary

Hollow in the Land (2017) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 92 min · English
Echo score 58
Directed by
Scooter Corkle
Starring
Jessica McLeod, Sarah Dugdale, Michael Rogers, Glynis Davies, Dianna Agron, Jared Abrahamson

When a string of brutal murders shatters the peace of their small town, siblings Alison and Brandon are immediately suspects, haunted by their father's troubling past. As suspicion falls on them, they are forced to confront a web of deceit and uncover the truth to clear their names. Racing against time, they must expose the true killer and protect their own innocence before it's too late.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 What happens: full plot
  3. 3 Plot questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Hollow in the Land
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Hollow in the Land (2017)

Where can you watch Hollow in the Land? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Hoopla, Fandango at Home Free and Pluto TV: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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Full plot summary · contains spoilers

What Happens in Hollow in the Land: Full Plot Summary

The whole story of Hollow in the Land (2017) explained, from the opening scene to the final frame: every key event, every twist and what it all adds up to. Read it as a quick recap before the sequel, to check a scene you missed, or to finally understand what really happened.

It's been a year since Keith Miller was imprisoned for the murder of Eli Balkoff, and the tension in their small mountain town is palpable. His daughter, Alison Miller (Dianna Agron), is forced to rescue her brother Brandon Miller (Jared Abrahamson) from local authorities once again, as the townsfolk taunt him about their father's crimes.

Things take a dire turn when Brandon's girlfriend, Sophie Hinters (Sarah Dugdale), is caught in a heated confrontation with her father, Earl. Soon after, police deliver the shocking news of his death, and Brandon quickly becomes the prime suspect, given their father's notorious situation. Amidst the chaos, Brandon goes missing, prompting the fiercely determined Alison to take matters into her own hands. She is resolute in her quest to find her brother and clear his name before the police can find him.

Alison's search leads her to a local bowling alley where she discreetly acquires a timetable. From there, she visits the ice rink in pursuit of Freya, who informs her that Brandon received a mysterious phone call just before vanishing without a trace. With the help of Officer Darryl Tarasoff (Shawn Ashmore), Alison uncovers some police evidence regarding the unfolding crime. She bravely visits the crime scene where she stumbles upon a crucial piece of evidence, but little does she know, she is being watched.

As tension mounts, the Chief and Officer Darryl confront Alison about her recent activity. After a brief interaction with Freya, she receives an address leading her to Leland, a local dealer. Arriving at the scene, she discovers Leland's lifeless body and notices an uncanny cigarette butt, which raises her suspicions. Before she can process the scene further, the police arrive and jump to conclusions, prompting Alison to flee back to town as they set out in search of her.

In her search for answers, Alison encounters the intoxicated Lenny (Brent Stait) and offers him a ride home, only to find that Charlene Hinters (Rachelle Lefevre) is missing. While pursuing leads, Alison finds Tyler (David Lennon) on a motorbike and manages to pin him down, learning that he’s being hunted himself, but he insists knowing Brandon's whereabouts.

Continuing the pursuit leads her to a party where she hopes to find Freya again. Despite a close call with the police, she manages to escape but learns that Tyler is hiding in a secluded area. The next day brings tragedy as she discovers Tyler has also been murdered, and while being shot at by an unseen assailant, she escapes with a shoulder wound.

In her search for help, she encounters Debbie and Ruth, who lend her a van and a gun. Calling Officer Darryl reveals that the cigarette butts belong to Charlene, suggesting a deeper motive. Armed with this knowledge, Alison confronts the Chief, who is hiding Sophie and Charlene; chaos ensues as shots are fired and a truth is unveiled: Eli was actually the Chief’s son, seeking vengeance against Keith for his demise.

The shocking showdown culminates in a dramatic confrontation where the Chief is shot while attempting to escape in Eli’s car. As the search party scours the hills for Brandon, they finally find him—traumatized but alive. The siblings are then united as they visit their father in the jail, vowing to face whatever comes next together.

Last updated: October 31, 2024 at 14:56

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Plot questions answered

Hollow in the Land Plot Explained: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about Hollow in the Land (2017): what happens in the confusing scenes, why the characters do what they do, the twists, hidden details and what the ending means. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Why does Brandon become the prime suspect in Earl's murder?

Brandon becomes the prime suspect because of his family's notorious reputation. Since their father Keith Miller is imprisoned for murdering Eli Balkoff, the townsfolk and police automatically assume the worst of Brandon. When Earl dies, Brandon's prior confrontation with Earl and his connection to Sophie's family make him the easiest target, especially given the small town's prejudice against the Miller family.

Foreshadowing: The townsfolk had been taunting Brandon about his father's crimes since the beginning, establishing the community's suspicion of the Miller family.

  • brandon miller
  • earl hinters
  • suspect
  • murder
  • police investigation
Q2

Who is the actual killer behind the murders in the movie?

The Chief is the true killer. He reveals during the final confrontation that Eli Balkoff was actually his son. After Keith Miller killed Eli, the Chief orchestrated the murders of Earl, Leland, and Tyler to frame Brandon and get revenge against the Miller family for destroying his own.

Foreshadowing: The Chief's unusual interest in the case and his hiding of Sophie and Charlene hint at his deeper involvement throughout the investigation.

  • chief
  • eli balkoff
  • killer
  • true killer
  • revenge
  • murderer
Q3

What is the Chief's relationship to Eli Balkoff?

Eli Balkoff was the Chief's son. The Chief kept this relationship hidden throughout the movie while secretly plotting his revenge against Keith Miller for killing Eli a year prior. This explains why the Chief was so invested in framing Brandon and destroying the Miller family.

Foreshadowing: The Chief's intense personal involvement in the case against the Millers goes beyond typical police duty, hinting at a personal vendetta.

  • chief
  • eli balkoff
  • son
  • father
  • relationship
  • family secret
Q4

Why do the police start pursuing Alison as well?

The police pursue Alison because she keeps interfering with their investigation and discovering evidence on her own. When she finds Leland's dead body and the cigarette butt, the police jump to conclusions and view her as a suspect rather than a concerned sister. Her underground investigation makes her appear suspicious, especially when she flees after being confronted.

Foreshadowing: Alison's unauthorized visits to crime scenes and her conversation with Officer Darryl about evidence put her on the police's radar.

  • alison miller
  • police
  • chase
  • flee
  • suspect
  • fugitive
Q5

What happens to Brandon during his time missing?

While missing, Brandon was being hunted by the same person responsible for the other murders, the Chief. He survives by hiding in the hills outside town, becoming traumatized by the experience. When the search party finally finds him, he is alive but severely traumatized by his ordeal.

Foreshadowing: Tyler's revelation that he's also being hunted and knows Brandon's whereabouts connects both characters' disappearances to the same perpetrator.

  • brandon miller
  • missing
  • hiding
  • traumatized
  • hills
  • found alive
Q6

What does the cigarette butt evidence reveal about the murders?

The cigarette butt found at Leland's crime scene becomes crucial evidence that Alison uses to uncover the truth. When Officer Darryl runs the analysis, he reveals the cigarette butts belong to Charlene Hinters, which helps Alison realize the Chief has been framing people and that Charlene is being held captive by him.

Foreshadowing: Alison notices the suspicious cigarette butt at Leland's place early on, marking it as an important clue she would later connect to the Chief's crimes.

  • cigarette butt
  • evidence
  • leland
  • charlene hints
  • police analysis
Q7

Why is the Chief hiding Sophie and Charlene Hinters?

The Chief kidnaps Sophie and Charlene to use them as leverage in his revenge scheme. By holding them captive, he keeps potential witnesses away while manipulating the situation to frame Brandon for the murders. Charlene's cigarette butt at crime scenes was part of the Chief's deliberate framing attempt.

Foreshadowing: Charlene's unexplained disappearance early in the film and Sophie's sudden absence signal something has happened to them.

  • chief
  • sophie hinners
  • charlene
  • hiden
  • kidnapped
  • captive
Q8

How does Alison ultimately locate Brandon?

Alison doesn't directly find Brandon, the search party locates him while Alison is confronting the Chief. After the truth about the Chief's crimes is revealed and he is shot while trying to escape, the search party scours the hills and finds the traumatized Brandon hiding there.

Foreshadowing: Tyler's暗示 that Brandon is being hunted and is in hiding, combined with the search party's efforts after the Chief's defeat, leads to Brandon's discovery.

  • alison
  • brandon
  • search party
  • hills
  • location
  • found
Q9

What motivates the Chief's vendetta against the Miller family?

The Chief's motivation is vengeance for his son's death. When Keith Miller killed Eli Balkoff a year before the movie's events, the Chief couldn't accept that Keith would go to prison without suffering further consequences. His plan was to destroy Keith's remaining family by framing Brandon for multiple murders, making Keith feel the same loss he experienced.

Foreshadowing: The Chief's personal intensity throughout the investigation, his bias against Brandon, and his refusal to consider other suspects all stem from his hidden grief and anger over Eli's death.

  • chief
  • revenge
  • vendetta
  • miller family
  • eli balkoff
  • son death
Q10

How does the truth about Eli's death come to light?

The truth emerges during Alison's confrontation with the Chief at his hideout. When shots are fired and chaos erupts, the Chief finally reveals that Eli was his son and explains his entire revenge scheme. He admits to killing Earl, Leland, and Tyler to frame Brandon and get payback for Eli's murder.

Foreshadowing: The timing of the murders following Keith's imprisonment and the Chief's unusual control over the investigation point to someone with both motive and opportunity.

  • eli balkoff
  • death truth
  • chief confession
  • revealed
  • murder
  • son
Q11

Why does the Chief try to escape in Eli's car after being exposed?

When the Chief's crimes are exposed during the confrontation, he panics and attempts to flee in Eli's car, the same car Keith used to commit the murder. This act symbolizes his final desperate attempt to escape consequences, but he is shot before he can get away.

Foreshadowing: The mention of Eli's car being Keith's murder weapon establishes its significance to the case and the Chief's personal history.

  • chief
  • eli car
  • escape
  • shot
  • flee
  • car chase
Q12

What happens to Alison and Brandon after the truth is revealed?

After the Chief is defeated and Brandon is found alive but traumatized, the Miller siblings are reunited. They visit their father Keith in jail together, vowing to face whatever comes next as a united front. The ending is bittersweet, the truth is out, but their father remains imprisoned and the trauma has left its mark on both siblings.

Foreshadowing: Throughout the movie, Alison's determination to clear Brandon's name and protect her family drives her every action, culminating in their reunion.

  • alison
  • brandon
  • reunion
  • jail
  • father
  • family
  • vow

Movie threads

More Movies Like Hollow in the Land, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Hollow in the Land tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Thrillers with a small town chase like Hollow in the Land

Desperate protagonists uncovering secrets while hunted by their own community. If you enjoyed the relentless pace and claustrophobic tension of Hollow in the Land, explore more movies like it. These films feature characters racing against time in hostile small towns, forced to uncover dark secrets to clear their names.

  • tense
  • anxious
  • claustrophobic
  • suspenseful
  • determined
  • grim
  • Tone: tense, grim
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern follows a protagonist, often an outsider or someone with a troubled past, who is wrongly accused. They become both investigator and fugitive, navigating a web of local secrets and prejudice. The story is a linear, high-stakes chase where each discovery raises the tension and brings them closer to both the truth and greater danger.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a specific tension born from being hunted in a familiar yet threatening environment. They combine the fast pacing of a chase thriller with the emotional weight of fighting against a system that has already condemned you, creating a consistently anxious and grim mood.

Movies about a troubled family legacy like Hollow in the Land

Characters struggling under the weight of their family's dark past. Fans of Hollow in the Land who were drawn to the theme of a father's crimes impacting the next generation will find similar stories here. These movies explore the heavy emotional weight and societal prejudice that comes with a notorious family name.

  • grim
  • determined
  • oppressive
  • heavy
  • grief
  • suspenseful
  • Tone: tense, heavy
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The emotional journey revolves around characters grappling with an inherited stigma. The central conflict is often external suspicion fueled by past family crimes, but the internal battle is about identity and breaking free from a predetermined narrative. The resolution may clear their name of the immediate accusation, but the emotional scars and the unresolved past leave a lasting, bittersweet impact.

Why they belong together: This thread groups films that powerfully explore themes of grief, loss, and the inescapable nature of a dark family history. They share a heavy emotional weight and a tense, often grim atmosphere, focusing on the psychological toll on characters fighting for their own innocence against the backdrop of a legacy they didn't choose.

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Every angle

Hollow in the Land (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Hollow in the Land in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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