This 2017 darkly humorous crime drama was written and directed by Martin McDonagh. It’s very dark indeed, covering the murder of a woman’s daughter and her efforts to get the local police to solve the crime.

The brilliant Frances McDormand took the lead role Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, winning the Best Actress Oscar for her efforts. It was also a surprise hit at the box office and holds up well almost 10 years after launch.

The Dark Drama of Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri

The film focusses on Mildred Hayes (McDormand) who is grieving after the loss of her daughter in a brutal incident seven months earlier. As the local police investigation seems to have stalled, she gets angry.

She hires out three billboards with volatile statements about why Chief Willoughby (Woody Harrelson) hasn’t made any progress with the case.

This triggers off local drama, with the respected Chief left to try and manage the situation with Hayes. All whilst local townspeople clash with her over the provocative nature of the billboards. It’s revealed the Chief is also dying with terminal cancer, but Hayes is in a volatile mood and unwilling to cooperate.

Much of the film is about the Chief attempting to appease Hayes, but they frequently clash.

Whilst this plays out, dumb racist police officer Jason Dixon (Sam Rockwell) bungles his way through various local cases. He also clashes with Hayes in an attempt to impress Chief Willoughby.

Rockwell is on immense form throughout the film. He has the best scene when he goes on a rampage around town (warning, scenes of violence are ahead). This was all completed in one continuous take.

It’s a very dark film. The drama is broken up with regular bouts of black humour, but overall the theme is a grieving mother attempting to kickstart the local police into action.

All whilst one of them is slowly dying on screen.

It’s not a cheerful watch at all, but the script is often excellent, and the performances great from a top-tier cast. Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri does have that distinctive title, too. Can’t miss it! Much like a billboard. However, some of the scenes do feel a little contrived at times. Especially the monologues. Long, dark, and caustic, followed by a character turning to make the final point and walking off. It’s very theatrical.

But minor niggles aside, it’s impressive such an often bleak film achieved such widespread success. A critical and commercial hit, no less, and Oscar winner.

Well worth your time if you’re in the mood for something gritty and grim.

The Production of Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri

Yeah, so this one cost $15 million but was a hit at the box office and made $162.7 million. Along with McDormand’s Oscar win, Sam Rockwell also won for Best Supporting Actor.

The Oscars gets criticised a fair bit these days (often rightfully so), but it sometimes doesn’t shy away from the more challenging films out there. This film with its massive, weird title and dark subject matter was not ignored by Hollywood.

McDormand was initially concerned about taking the role (58 at the time of filming), believing she was too old to have a teenage daughter. But her husband, director Joel Coen, told he to take the plunge and it’s turned into a career-defining role for her (alongside her epic turn in 1996’s Fargo).

It was filmed in Sylva, North Carolina, and the shoot took only 33 days (always amazes us how quickly these film shoots are in modern times).

The billboards were specifically constructed by Allison Outdoor Advertising of Sylva. During non-filming days, they were covered up due to the shocking nature of the statements on them.