Frances McDormand plays a determined mother who rents three billboards to bring attention to the unsolved rape and murder of her daughter. Written and directed by Martin McDonagh, this film is searing in the level of violence and diverse characterisation that covers racism, suicide, grief and revenge. And it works, probably due to the perfect casting of McDormand, Sam Rockwell, Woody Harrelson et al. And there is comedy, mostly black, that keeps the viewer from going under at the sheer harshness of the subject matter.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri | 15A | 1 hr 55 mins | 2018