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Hollow in the Land (2017) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Hollow in the Land (2017) Characters, Setting & Themes 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 (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (5)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Hollow in the Land
  8. 8 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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5 main characters · contains spoilers

Hollow in the Land Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Hollow in the Land (2017), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Alison Miller

    played by Dianna Agron

    Alison is a fiercely determined young woman willing to go to great lengths to save her brother. Her tenacity shines as she navigates a complicated web of danger and suspicion, fueled by her loyalty to her family. Throughout her journey, she demonstrates both bravery and vulnerability, revealing a complex character deeply affected by her family's tumultuous past.

    • 🕵️‍♀️ Determination
    • ❤️ Family
    • ⚔️ Conflict
  • Brandon Miller

    played by Jared Abrahamson

    Brandon is caught in a perilous situation, marked by the shadow of their father's past. While his character is defined by vulnerability, the circumstances he faces compel him to seek a path of survival and truth. The film delves into his struggles and resilience against the backdrop of a small town's scrutiny.

    • ⚔️ Conflict
    • 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Sibling Bond
    • 😟 Vulnerability
  • Sophie Hinters

    played by Sarah Dugdale

    Sophie is embroiled in the turmoil stemming from her father's actions, adding complexity to her character. Torn between loyalty to her family and the implications of their legacy, she navigates her relationship with Brandon amid the chaos. Her confrontation with her father reveals her inner turmoil and desire for resolution.

    • 💔 Conflict
    • 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Romance
    • 😓 Pressure
  • Darryl Tarasoff

    played by Shawn Ashmore

    Officer Darryl serves as a critical ally to Alison, displaying a mix of professionalism and concern as he navigates the unfolding crime scene. His character embodies the moral complexities faced by law enforcement in small-town dynamics, striving to balance duty with empathy for the Miller siblings.

    • 🚓 Law Enforcement
    • ⚖️ Justice
    • 🤔 Morality
  • Lenny

    played by Brent Stait

    Lenny is a troubled character who embodies the chaotic underbelly of the town. His struggles with intoxication and the search for belonging add depth to his interactions with Alison. Despite his flaws, Lenny provides key insights into the complexities surrounding the events, making him a pivotal figure in the unfolding story.

    • 🍻 Intoxication
    • 😢 Struggles
    • 🏚️ Chaos

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:28

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Setting

Where and When Does Hollow in the Land Take Place?

The setting of Hollow in the Land (2017): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

The events take place in a contemporary setting, focusing on themes of familial loyalty and the repercussions of crime. The tension seems to escalate following a violent crime committed a year prior, introducing a sense of urgency and anxiety in the community.

Location

small mountain town, bowling alley, ice rink

The movie is set in a small, mountainous town that is filled with tension and unease. This town serves as the backdrop for the drama surrounding the Miller family's struggles, known for its tightly-knit community that often turns on each other. Key locations include a local bowling alley and an ice rink, which provide essential environments for the unfolding events.

  • 🏞️ Town
  • 🎳 Bowling
  • ❄️ Ice

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:28

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3 major themes

Hollow in the Land Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Hollow in the Land (2017) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Mystery

    The plot centers around a deepening mystery involving the Miller siblings as they try to uncover the truth behind a series of tragic events. Alison's relentless pursuit of answers highlights the theme of searching for justice amid chaos. The weaving of personal conflicts and hidden agendas adds layers to the mystery.

  • Family

    At its core, the film explores the bonds of family and the lengths one will go to protect loved ones. Alison's determination to save her brother Brandon showcases her fierce loyalty, while the impact of their father's crime complicates their relationships within the community. The theme of familial sacrifice is palpable throughout the story.

  • Crime

    Crime and its impact looms large over the narrative, serving as a catalyst for the film's events. The shadow of Keith's imprisonment and the town's reactions create a setting fraught with tension. The unfolding crime investigation reveals deeper issues within the community, including betrayal and revenge.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:28

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Character & theme questions

Hollow in the Land Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Hollow in the Land (2017): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is the movie set?

The movie takes place in a small, mountainous town known for its tightly-knit community that often turns on each other. Key locations include a local bowling alley and an ice rink, which serve as important settings for the unfolding events.

  • setting
  • location
  • small town
  • mountain town
  • bowling alley
  • ice rink
Q2

When does the story take place?

The events occur in a contemporary setting, approximately a year after a violent crime was committed in the town. This recent tragedy has left the community on edge, creating an atmosphere of suspicion and urgency.

  • time period
  • contemporary
  • modern setting
Q3

What are the main themes of the movie?

The film explores three primary themes: mystery (the search for justice amid chaos), family (the bonds of familial loyalty and sacrifice), and crime (the lingering impact of criminal actions on individuals and community). These themes weave together to create a story about truth-seeking and family devotion.

  • themes
  • mystery
  • family
  • crime
  • loyalty
  • sacrifice
Q4

Who is Alison Miller?

Alison Miller is the film's protagonist, a fiercely determined young woman portrayed by Dianna Agron. She is willing to go to great lengths to save her brother Brandon, demonstrating both bravery and vulnerability as she navigates danger and suspicion. Her unwavering loyalty to family drives her pursuit of the truth.

  • alison miller
  • dianna agron
  • protagonist
  • main character
Q5

Who is Brandon Miller?

Brandon Miller is Alison's brother, played by Jared Abrahamson. He is defined by vulnerability and the shadow of their father's criminal past. As suspicion falls on both siblings, Brandon is forced to confront the family's troubled legacy while seeking to clear his name and survive the town's scrutiny.

  • brandon miller
  • jared abrahamson
  • brother
  • sibling
Q6

Who is Sophie Hinters?

Sophie Hinters, played by Sarah Dugdale, is a character entangled in the turmoil stemming from her father's actions. She navigates a complicated relationship with Brandon while torn between loyalty to her family and the weight of their legacy. Her confrontation with her father reveals her inner turmoil.

  • sophie hinters
  • sarah dugdale
  • character
  • relationship
Q7

Who is Officer Darryl Tarasoff?

Officer Darryl Tarasoff, portrayed by Shawn Ashmore, serves as a critical ally to Alison. As a law enforcement officer navigating small-town dynamics, he balances his professional duty with empathy for the Miller siblings. His character embodies the moral complexities of policing in a close-knit community.

  • officer darryl tarasoff
  • shawn ashmore
  • police
  • law enforcement
  • ally
Q8

What is the Miller family's legacy in the town?

The Miller family carries the burden of their father Keith's crime, for which he is imprisoned. This tainted family legacy casts a long shadow over Alison and Brandon, making them suspects when murders occur in town. The community's prejudice against them stems directly from their father's actions.

  • miller family
  • father
  • keith
  • imprisoned
  • legacy
  • crime
Q9

How does the small town setting influence the story?

The mountain town's tight-knit nature creates a double-edged atmosphere: community members know each other intimately, but they also turn on one another quickly when crisis strikes. This environment amplifies the suspicion surrounding the Miller siblings and fuels the tension throughout the investigation.

  • small town
  • community
  • suspicion
  • neighbors
  • dynamics
Q10

What does the movie say about family loyalty?

The film emphasizes that familial bonds are tested under extreme pressure. Alison's determination to save Brandon showcases the theme of familial sacrifice, the willingness to risk everything for loved ones. Their father's crime creates a stigma that the siblings must overcome through their own actions and unity.

  • family loyalty
  • sacrifice
  • brother
  • sister
  • bonds
  • protection
Q11

How does crime drive the story forward?

Crime serves as the catalyst for the entire narrative. The violent crime committed by the Miller father a year prior creates the circumstances that put Alison and Brandon under suspicion. The ongoing murder investigation reveals deeper issues within the community, including betrayal and revenge, pushing the siblings to uncover the truth.

  • crime
  • murder
  • investigation
  • killer
  • justice
  • catalyst
Q12

Who is Lenny in the movie?

Lenny, played by Brent Stait, represents the chaotic underbelly of the town. He is a troubled character who struggles with intoxication and searches for belonging. Despite his flaws, Lenny provides key insights into the complexities surrounding the events and becomes a pivotal figure in the unfolding story.

  • lenny
  • brent stait
  • troubled character
  • town resident

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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Movies Like Hollow in the Land

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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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