Genre
Synopsis
In a small Texas town at the turn of the century, eighteen-year-old Ellie May Jackson arms herself and robs the general store -- to retrieve her own money. Having spent her life under the control of an abusive father in a place where the local government and church are one and the same, Ellie May soon reveals herself to be a prisoner attempting her last chance at escape.
Shots are fired, and the robbery spirals into a deadly hostage situation. After law enforcement arrives, the media descends upon the scene - and throughout the day, Ellie May’s past begins unraveling to them. Soon, it becomes national news that her motive behind the robbery was to flee town in time to legally end a pregnancy. Meanwhile, preacher and mayor Big Will Gaines uses his power to hide the town's dark secrets -- as the reluctant police negotiator, Assistant Chief Thomas Howard uncovers that this is no ordinary standoff.
With the truth surfacing as tensions build between the police, the town, the media, and the young criminal at the center of it all, Howard soon finds himself struggling to free the hostages while also keeping Ellie May alive. Her defiance, sharp wit, and pregnancy spurs a televised debate that attracts radical protesters from both sides into the town, and Ellie May goes from being a faceless girl to a symbol of rebellion - in a day she may not survive.
Bio
A Tony-nominated Broadway Producer turned Film Director, Rachel Annette Helson tells stories about women who are rule breakers and risk takers. She recently directed her fourth feature film: an adaptation of the Bestselling novel The Air He Breathes - and her latest short film Good Daughter was longlisted for the 2025 Academy Awards and won a Silver Telly Award in the Best Film & Shorts: Drama category. As a character-driven director, Rachel is heavily influenced by her acting background (credits include: Full Circle, The Knick and Law & Order: SVU.) An alumna of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, she also holds the distinction of being the Youngest Producer in Broadway history to be Nominated for a Tony Award. She is repped by Steve Roy at Buchwald.
Credits
Director - Rachel Annette Helson
Writer - Brian Whitaker
