The unnamed protagonist (Bella Thorne) takes a trip to her dad's place (a quiet, seedy town named Golden) to confront (and possibly murder) him. Apparently, he has been terrible to her mother, apart from being generally absent in their lives. But it looks like someone was a step ahead of her as she finds dad murdered in his barn. Now, she wants answers.
For easier storytelling purposes, Girl meets everyone she's supposed to en route to her dad's home and at a local bar afterward. There's the bartender who means well for her, a prostitute who probably knew her dad, and a random guy trying to strike up a conversation about saving her daughter and leaving town. The most intriguing scene in the film arrives so randomly and it takes place at a laundromat with Charmer (played by the writer-director of the film himself, Chad Faust, in what seems like a brilliant call) looking to hit on Girl. The action here is well-staged and a couple of delicious twists follow.
By now, it becomes obvious that the film shines when it gets action-heavy while the in-between expository scenes are less compelling. Thorne's curious act works to an extent, especially when she isn't reacting to a twist. There's some physicality involved, and for that, I'd give her a thumbs up. Mickey Rourke looks almost unrecognizable (especially the first time he shows up, in a fleeting scene) but manages to make his county sheriff character macho enough. Faust seems to have added a few scenes (like the guy at the bar, and another scene where Girl sees a playful dad and daughter) just to stir emotions.
Few contrivances (and predictable plotting) aside, this isn't the worst thriller you'll see. It's a perfectly serviceable piece of cinema that wouldn't feel like a waste of time.
