Highway of Tears

HORROR FOLKTALE SUSPENSE/THRILLER DRAMA DETECTIVE GOTHIC
Contemporary
Philip Elliott
Logline
Indigenous Ramona is desperate to leave B.C., Canada, where women are turning up murdered on the "Highway of Tears," while Sgt. Bill Stevens seeks answers: serial killer, or something much worse?
Genre
Horror,Folktale,Suspense/Thriller,Drama,Detective,Gothic
Short Summary
16-year-old girl sprints through dark, snowy forest. Her top is torn, face bloody. From the highway behind a man pursues, flashlight in hand. The girl runs deeper into the forest. She may have got away, but—rustling among the trees. Again. She runs. The rustling pursues. Her scream over black.
Ramona hitchhikes on the highway, finally leaving for California. Unknown to her, the driver who pulls up is the serial killer prowling this region. She enters his car: "You're a lifesaver." The car drives into the distance as old man Tim continues the search for his daughter's body by the highway.
Setting
Smithers (British Columbia, Canada)
Based on a True Story
Yes
Plot - Premise
Overcoming Monster/Villain,Internal Journey/Rebirth
Plot - Other Elements
Meaningful Message,Coming of Age,Twist
Mature Audience Themes
Extreme Violence, Language/Profanity
Main Character Details
Name: Ramona
Age: 24
Gender: Female
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Adventurous,Aspiring,Badass,Complex,Confident,Decisive,Empathetic,Desperate,Blunt,Skillful,Lone Wolf,Strong Moral Code
Additional Character Details
Name: Bill
Age: 44
Gender: Male
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Complex,Decisive,Desperate,Heroic,Leader,Masculine,Underdog,Blunt,Strong Moral Code,Lone Wolf,Aggressive,Insecure
Additional Character Details
Name: Kaya
Age: 15
Gender: Female
Role: protagonist
Key Traits: Empathetic,Gracious,Educated,Honorable,Insecure,Naive,Underdog,Modest,Obedient,Selfless,Strong Moral Code,Aspiring,Faithful,Secretive
Additional Character Details
Name: Krystal
Age: 15
Gender: Female
Role: sidekick
Key Traits: Adventurous,Badass,Aggressive,Clumsy,Confident,Engaging,Naive,Masculine,Uneducated,Outspoken,Funny,Sarcastic,Unapologetic,Manipulative
Development Pitch
Praise for "Highway of Tears" on The Black List where it is a "Top Horror Script": “a superior horror movie that could excite indie producers. Elevated, low-budget horror in the vein of IT FOLLOWS, THE WITCH, and MIDSOMMAR, something producers are currently seeking...texture of a character-driven drama, which could appeal to actors...strong female roles, many of them for Indigenous actresses, and Bill could attract a marquee actor. The script delivers on an emotional level, getting the viewer to care about the characters, but it crucially delivers on the horror, as well, with one scene that rivals a notorious moment in BONE TOMAHAWK. The project has weight in that it tackles issues like racism and violence against women. This is commercial but could also garner strong reviews.” “There is a large audience for a drama like this with horror, thriller and mystery elements to broaden the script's appeal...There are ripe character roles for high value talent and this has potential on VOD or streaming platforms with the opportunity for a theatrical release with star attachments.” "a wonderfully unique and compelling supernatural thriller script...touches on some powerful themes surrounding racism of indigenous people. The Highway of Tears is an immediately interesting backdrop for this story...The script does an effective job of balancing several different subplots, and maintaining the overall suspense." “ends with a nasty little twist that's Hitchcockian in its gleeful sadism.”