A young girl named Bone grows up in poverty in 1950s South Carolina with her struggling mother Anney and extended family. After Anney's husband Lyle dies, she remarries Glen, who turns out to be an abusive alcoholic. Bone suffers physical and sexual abuse at the hands of Glen, and Anney is torn between her love for her daughter and her need for a husband. Eventually, Bone's aunts intervene and she is sent to live with them, but Anney still struggles with her desire for Glen and the physical abuse he inflicts upon Bone. In the end, Bone finds solace in the love and support of her aunts and ultimately forgives her mother for her sacrifices. The film is a powerful and emotional portrayal of a young girl's resilience and determination to overcome the hardships of her childhood.

Bastard Out of Carolina is currently unavailable to stream in UK on the streaming services we have in our catalogue

Some movies that have similar genres and were produced around the same time as Bastard Out of Carolina include Good Will Hunting, The Shawshank Redemption, Magnolia, Fight Club, American Beauty, American History X.