Is Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri a True Story?
by Sakthi
Updated May 04, 2023
Is Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri a True Story?
While the movie is not a direct adaptation of a true story, it was inspired by a real-life event. The writer-director of the movie, Martin McDonagh, spotted three billboards on the side of the road while traveling across the United States. The signs were created by a grieving father named James Fulton, who was frustrated with the local police department's handling of his daughter's murder case.
The billboards were written in protest against the unsolved murder of his daughter, who was killed in May 1991. Although the movie was inspired by Kathy Page's real life, McDonagh made several changes to the details to create a fictional story. In the real-life case, the billboards were created by a father, whereas in the movie, it is a mother who takes the action.
Additionally, the age of the victim is different, as the character of Mildred's daughter is a teenager, while Fulton's daughter was 34 at the time of her death. Despite the changes made to the movie, the themes of grief, frustration with law enforcement, and the search for justice are still relevant and impactful. The movie's portrayal of a small town's secrets and prejudices is also a reflection of real-life events and adds depth to the story.
While Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is not a true story, it was inspired by real-life events. The movie's exploration of themes related to grief, justice, and small-town dynamics still resonates with audiences today.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri Ending Explained
The movie's climax takes place at night in a remote field, where Mildred Hayes (played by Frances McDormand) confronts police officer Jason Dixon (played by Sam Rockwell). Mildred believes that Dixon is responsible for setting fire to the three billboards that she put up in an attempt to silence her and end her protest against the police department.
As the two characters argue, Mildred draws a gun on Dixon, and the situation quickly escalates into a violent struggle. Dixon gains the upper hand and begins to strangle Mildred, but he is interrupted by a passing deer. Mildred regains consciousness and shoots Dixon in the leg, causing him to collapse.
The scene then cuts to Mildred's ex-husband, Charlie (played by John Hawkes), who has been hunting in the same field. He hears the gunshot and rushes over to see what's happening. Mildred tells him to call an ambulance for Dixon, and she drives off into the night.
The final scene of the movie shows Mildred and her son driving past the billboards, which have been replaced with a new message that reads, "Raped While Dying And Still No Arrests? How come, Chief Willoughby?" This suggests that Mildred's protest has had an impact and that the police department may finally be taking her daughter's murder case seriously.
However, the climax of "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri" is a tense and violent confrontation between Mildred and Dixon, which ultimately results in Dixon being shot and wounded. The scene sets up the movie's final moments, where Mildred's protest against the police department is shown to have had a significant impact on the community.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri Plot
The movie follows the story of Mildred Hayes, played by the incredible Frances McDormand, a grieving mother who is fed up with the lack of progress in the investigation of her daughter's brutal murder. She decides to take matters into her own hands and puts up three billboards outside of her small town, Ebbing, Missouri, calling out the police department for their failure to find the culprit.
Her bold move sparks a series of events that shake up the entire town. The billboards not only catch the attention of the police chief, played by the talented Woody Harrelson but also bring out the worst in the townspeople, who feel attacked by Mildred's accusations.
As the story unfolds, we see the complicated relationships between Mildred, the police, and the townspeople and the personal struggles that each character is facing. The movie deals with themes of grief, guilt, forgiveness, and redemption, all while keeping the audience on the edge of their seats.
The stellar performances by the cast, including Sam Rockwell, who plays a hot-headed and racist police officer, and Lucas Hedges, who portrays Mildred's troubled son, bring depth and authenticity to the story. The cinematography, sound, and music all add to the atmosphere of the movie, creating a rich and immersive experience for the viewers. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is a powerful and thought-provoking film that will make you laugh, cry, and question your own beliefs.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri Cast
Let us see the cast and characters of the movie Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
Frances McDormand
Mildred Hayes
Woody Harrelson
Bill Willoughby
Sam Rockwell
Jason Dixon
John Hawkes
Charlie Hayes
Peter Dinklage
James
Abbie Cornish
Anne Willoughby
Lucas Hedges
Robbie Hayes
Željko Ivanek
Cedric Connolly
Caleb Landry Jones
Red Welby
Clarke Peters
Abercrombie
Samara Weaving
Penelope
Kerry Condon
Pamela
Darrell Britt-Gibson
Jerome
Kathryn Newton
Angela Hayes
Brendan Sexton III
Crop-Haired Guy
Sandy Martin
Momma Dixon
Cast
Characters
Is Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri a True Story: FAQs
The plot of the movie revolves around a mother, Mildred Hayes, who puts up three billboards demanding justice for her daughter's unsolved murder.
While the movie was inspired by the true story of a man who put up billboards seeking justice for his daughter's murder, the details of the story were changed for the movie.
The movie stars Frances McDormand as Mildred Hayes, Woody Harrelson as Police Chief Willoughby, and Sam Rockwell as Officer Dixon.
The billboards demand justice for Mildred's daughter, who was raped and murdered, and criticize the police department for failing to solve the case.
The climax of the movie is a violent confrontation between Mildred and Officer Dixon in a remote field, which results in Dixon being shot and wounded.