This film is an adaptation of Nic Pizzolatto's book of the same name. If you are a diehard fan of "True Detective," you'll recognize similar elements from the show. Director Laurent takes us on a roller coaster ride. She lingers on certain scenes, while speeding up others. There is a moody ambience from the book that, at times, doesn't translate effectively. As I read the book, I could imagine what Roy Cady would look like, and Ben Foster pulled it off. Elle Fanning stole the show as far I am concerned.
This isn't a fast film. You really need to sit down and take it all in. I love how Pizzolatto plays with memory, and creates two timelines, which is his signature style.
Without giving away the suspense of the story, I recommend reading the book first. Not entirely necessary to follow the plot in the movie but it has to be said anyway.
Definitely worth watching if you're into noir films. Hard boiled men, down on their luck women, fear, desperation, guns, cigarettes, booze... and lots of hard truths. It is all here.
This is a Texas of the mind. Not exactly a real place.