Based on Dusty Richard’s acclaimed western novel “Mustanger and the Lady,” ‘Painted Woman’ tells the tale of Julie Richards. Julie, a product of her era, finds herself trapped in a cycle of exploitation and prostitution, eventually ending up under the control of Kyle Allison. Allison, a powerful and affluent figure in the old western town of Goldfield, takes Julie into his home, treating her as a prized possession. This arrangement offers her security but at the cost of enduring further mistreatment. As her time with Allison nears a perilous end, Julie is presented with two opportunities to break free, each involving a different man. ‘Painted Woman’ unfolds in two distinct segments of Julie’s life, each reflecting the other. The first segment depicts Julie’s encounter with Frank, set mostly at night in Goldfield. The second segment follows her journey with the Mustanger, taking place in the wilderness and primarily during daylight.