Winter's Bone is a 2010 American drama film directed by Debra Granik. The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Daniel Woodrell. The story is set in the Ozark Mountains in Missouri and follows the life of 17-year old Ree Dolly (played by Jennifer Lawrence).
Ree Dolly is a high school student who lives with her mother, mentally ill father, and two younger siblings in a small cabin in the Ozark woods. Her father, Jessup, is a methamphetamine dealer who has gone missing after putting their house as collateral for his bail bond. Ree's mission is to find her father and make him show up at court, or the family will lose their house and have to leave.
Ree sets out on a dangerous journey through the rural Ozarks to get answers from her father's friends and family. She faces violence and intimidation as she questions her kin's code of silence about her father's whereabouts. Her family members, including her uncle Teardrop (played by John Hawkes), become reluctant to help her, and Ree must rely on her instincts and skills to solve the mystery and find her father.
Throughout the movie, Ree's character is depicted as brave, resilient, and self-reliant. She finds support from some unexpected sources, including a friend from school and a kind-hearted army recruiter. As she gets closer to uncovering the truth about her father's disappearance, she also learns more about her family's criminal underworld and the brutal reality of their lives.
Winter's Bone premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2010 and received critical acclaim for its authentic portrayal of rural poverty and its lead performance by Jennifer Lawrence. The film was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actor. Overall, Winter's Bone is a powerful and realistic portrayal of rural life in America and the resilience of young women facing adversity.