A former rodeo champ befriends a young man with a propensity for violence.

In this neo-noir thriller, former rodeo champion Sam (Jon Bernthal, THE WALKING DEAD) has retired peacefully and set up as the owner of a motel in small-town Alaska, enjoying the peace and quiet at the edge of civilization. Until, that is, Elwood (Christopher Abbot, GIRLS) rolls in, commits a triple murder, and goes into hiding in Sam's motel. As the two get to talking, and even become friendly, this subtle and slow-burning story twists back and forth, through past and present, all the way to its high-stakes conclusion.

SWEET VIRGINIA, one of the Hollywood Black List's most anticipated screenplays of 2012, is deftly handled by director Jamie M. Dagg, with the writing provided by brothers Benjamin and Paul China - all resulting in a Coen-esque, darkly entertaining Americana thrill ride.