In this Southern-set drama thriller, a young boy named Green, portrayed by Bret Harrison, yearns to break free from his dismal existence but finds himself stuck in his hometown. Green, a talented special-effects makeup artist, aspires to make it big in Hollywood. However, his ambitions are threatened by personal challenges, including an alcoholic and abusive stepfather, a band of religious fanatics determined to ruin his creations, and a romantic interest who favors the simplicity of small-town living.