Jackson County Jail

The events unfold in the United States during the mid-1970s, a period marked by gritty crime dramas and a distrust of local law enforcement. A Bicentennial parade and cross-country flight anchor the setting in 1976, blending real-world events with a raw, street-level tone. This era's social tensions and film style drive the narrative's urgency and moral ambiguity.

The story moves between large urban settings (Los Angeles and New York City) and a sparsely populated, rural region centered on Fallsburg and Jackson County. The jail, cross-country drives, and hidden hideouts mark the film's geography, illustrating a journey from city life to the harsh, small-town landscape. The landscape's openness and isolation heighten the danger and emphasize the characters' vulnerability and pursuit of safety.

🗺️ Survival

Dinah and Blake navigate a hostile landscape where rules are unreliable and aid is scarce. They must improvise, seize opportunities, and decide how far they are willing to go to stay alive. Survival becomes a test of trust, loyalty, and moral compromise as they outrun a pursuit that seems determined to erase them. The journey through dangerous spaces highlights resilience in the face of systemic danger.

🕵️ Corruption

The film centers on the abuse of power by local authorities who fail to verify Dinah's story and manufacture a crime narrative. Corrupt policing and false narratives trap innocent people in cycles of violence and punishment. The characters confront a justice system that seems biased against them, especially when their accounts are discounted due to context and gender. The tension between truth and institutional cover-up drives the plot forward.

💔 Trauma

Dinah's experience of rape, imprisonment, and violence leaves deep emotional scars that shape her decisions. The film portrays trauma as a driving force behind flight and resistance, rather than mere sensationalism. Each encounter—the assault, escape, and pursuit—exposes the characters to ongoing psychological strain. The bleak finale underscores the lasting impact of violence.