Now Showing: Escape

 

Escape

Genre: Drama/Biography

Director: David Fincher

Writer: Lon Charles

Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Harrison Ford, Al Pacino, Jade Pettyjohn, Montana Jordan, Violet McGraw, Gabriella Sengos, Mia Kirshner, Annalise Basso, Anja Savcic, Linda Hamilton, Jim Parrack, Sharon Leal

Plot: The environment on the Colorado City, Arizona, compound of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, is bleak and oppressive. Carolyn Jessop (Reese Witherspoon) quietly goes about preparing breakfast for her family. Her oldest daughter Betty (Jade Pettyjohn) sits stiffly at the table, embodying the calm obedience of the FLDS. Her son Mark (Montana Jordan) fidgets while the younger daughters Emma (Violet McGraw) and Sarah (Gabriella Sengos) quietly color in a Bible-themed coloring book. Carolyn's husband, Merril Jessop (Harrison Ford) enters the room, his cold gaze passing over the family. Carolyn's hands shake slightly as she finishes preparing breakfast.

In their dim bedroom, Merril confronts Carolyn about her inability to bear more children due to a hysterectomy, his words filled with resentment. He does little to hide his views that Carolyn is expendable. Carolyn looks at the floor. As Merril prepares for bed, he mentions that he had a conversation with the church's president, Rulon Jeffs, who has proposed to take Betty on as a wife while Merril will in turn take one of Rulon's daughters, Tammy, as a new wife. Carolyn doesn't say a word, having learned long ago that will not help her, but is clearly upset at the thought. Merril insists it will be what is best for the family as it will put them all closer to God.

The compound gathers for a sermon in the large church. Rulon Jeffs (Al Pacino) delivers a hypnotic sermon filled with promises of salvation and veiled threats for disobedience. Betty watches him with rapt attention, while Carolyn shifts uncomfortably. She notices her son Mark's discomfort as well. Rulon locks eyes with Betty during the sermon, and Carolyn notices, feeling a pang of dread.

Foneta Jessop (Linda Hamilton), Merril's first wife, moves through the compound, checking on the wives. In Carolyn's home, Foneta delivers a clear warning to Carolyn about remaining obedient to Merril. Carolyn nods along. Foneta continues, adding that Carolyn should show more gratitude to Merril as his patience only goes so far.

In Rulon's opulent office, Merril and Rulon discuss the marriage arrangements between the two. Merril agrees without hesitation, knowing in his heart that Rulon is the closest thing to God on Earth as the church says. 

At dinner, Merril praises Betty for her obedience while criticizing Carolyn for her perceived defiance. Carolyn attempts to shield her children from Merril's harsh words. Mark sticks up for his mother, but Merril threatens to beat him if he steps up to him again. In private, Mark tells his mother that he does not believe in what the church is preaching.

Carolyn meets with Miriam Jessop (Anja Savcic), one of Merril's other wives, who has shown signs of unease herself in the past. Miriam expresses sympathy for Carolyn's plight but warns her of the dangers of rebellion against Merril or the church itself. Carolyn secretly reveals that she has been thinking about the type of life she could give her children away from the compound.

Carolyn tries to speak to Betty about her future, warning her about marrying Rulon, pleading with her to refuse. Betty does not want to listen to her mother, repeating FLDS teachings and expressing pride in her role as one of Rulon's future wives. Carolyn starts to fear she may have already lost Betty to the church. 

Foneta corners Carolyn again, threatening to report her to Merril and the church elders. Carolyn realizes that Miriam must have informed Foneta of their previous conversation. Carolyn is hurt as she thought she could trust Miriam. Foneta tells Carolyn that she is running out of chances to change her attitude, and makes it clear that her behavior is being closely monitored.

Carolyn secretly contacts Natalie Malonis (Mia Kirshner), a lawyer outside of the FLDS. Natalie explains the legal and logistical challenges of leaving, urging her to act fast if she is serious about leaving the compound.

Carolyn secretly begins gathering documents and packing essentials. Mark discreetly helps, while Betty remains oblivious, too consumed by the upcoming wedding to Rulon to notice anything out of the ordinary. Carolyn finally tells Betty about the escape plan, hoping to convince her to leave willingly, but Betty does not want to leave. Betty insists that her place is with Father and the Prophet. Carolyn tries to explain to Betty that Rulon does not and never will love Betty, that she will just be another trophy to bear him children. Carolyn pleads with Betty to not mention their conversation to Merril out of fear of Marl's safety. Betty agrees to not say anything out of love of her brother, but shows disdain toward her mother.

Merril and Rulon meet in Rulon's office again to finalize Betty's marriage. Rulon assures Merill that Betty will be cherished. Rulon's daughter Tammy (Annalise Basso) enters the room to meet Merril, her future husband. She gives Merril a shy kiss on the cheek. Rulon smiles at the image of Merril and Tammy as a couple. 

In the dead of night, Carolyn quietly gathers her children, except Betty, who resists. Emma and Sarah cling to their mother, confused. Mark ushers his younger sisters to the car. Carolyn grabs the defiant Betty by the arm and drags her to the vehicle. Betty screams that she hates her mother for trying to take her away from God. Tears stream from Carolyn's eyes as she forces Betty into the car.

The next morning, Eli Black (Jim Parrack), a member of the FLDS's secretive "God Squad" discovers that Carolyn has fled the compound with the children. He begins speaking to the neighbors and potential witnesses, gathering information that he knows Rulon will want. When Eli questions Foneta, she informs him that Carolyn always had a rebellious streak.

After driving all night long, Carolyn and her children arrive at a safehouse near Salt Lake City run by Grace Caldwell (Sharon Leal), a social worker specializing in helping women escape from fundamentalist communities. Grace shows them to a small, modestly furnished room. Sarah, confused, asks if that is their home now. Carolyn hesitates, before saying that it will be temporary. Grace explains the next steps to Carolyn while the children unpack. She talks about legal proceedings, counseling, and relocation plans. Carolyn listens intently, but her exhaustion is evident. 

Adjusting to life outside the FLDS is jarring for everyone. Mark begins to thrive the first time in his life. Emma and Sarah quickly adapt. Betty, however, isolates herself from her mother and siblings. Carolyn tries to connect with Betty by cooking her favorite meal, but Betty pushes the plate away.

Carolyn spots Eli Black watching her from across the street while walking with her children. Her heart races as she realizes the FLDS hasn't let them go. She confides in Grace, asking if they are ever going to leave her alone. Grace urges Carolyn to fight for the freedom of herself and her children.

Carolyn works with the lawyer, Natalie Malonis, to prepare for a custody battle against Merril. Natalie warns Carolyn that the church will look to weaponize every aspect of Carolyn's past. 

When the first day in court arrives, Merril's lawyers accuse Carolyn of being unstable and unfit to care for her children. Merril sits stoically in the courtroom with a smirk on his face as his lawyers attack Carolyn's character.

One night, Carolyn checks on her children only to find Betty missing. She searches frantically, her fear mounting as she realizes Betty have run away to return to the FLDS. Carolyn collapses onto the floor, sobbing.

Carolyn returns to the FLDS compound, determined to bring Betty home. She is stopped at the entrance of the compound by Eli Black. When she tells him why she is there, Eli escorts her to Rulon's office at the temple. She confronts Merril and Rulon at the temple. Betty stands beside Rulon, looking more like a wife than a child, insisting she is staying where she belongs. Carolyn pleads with her daughter to come away with her, but Rulon tells Carolyn to stand down and that Betty has already made her decision to become his wife. Betty reiterates her loyalty to the FLDS. Merril steps forward, telling Carolyn that she already had her chance to guide Betty, but failed and now Betty gets to choose her own life. Carolyn pleads with Betty, trying to explain that the church has taken her mind and heart and twisted it to their will, not God's. Betty tells her mother that her life now is as Rulon's wife not Carolyn's daughter. Carolyn, defeated, is escorted from the compound by Eli.

Back in court, Carolyn fights for the custody of her remaining children. Natalie argues on her behalf, highlighting the abusive practices of the FLDS, while Merril's lawyers frame Carolyn as rebellious and dangerous. Carolyn finally gets to take the stand. She describes the years of fear and abuse she endured at the hands of Merril and the FLDS church itself. She explains that she left the compound because of her love of her children, and her desire to not see them become tools for men like Merril and Rulon. Merril watches her testimony with cold disdain.

The judge delivers the verdict: Carolyn is awarded custody of Mark, Emma, and Sarah. Merril's face darkens, and he lashes out at the judge. When he is silenced by the bailiff, he glares at Carolyn. As the courtroom clears, Merril approaches Carolyn, warning her that things aren't over. Carolyn walks out of the court house with Mark, Emma, and Sarah beside her. 

That night, Carolyn sits in the safehouse, her children asleep around her. Carolyn holds a photo of Betty, her thumb tracing her daughter's face. Mark stirs and wakes, seeing his mother sitting alone. He comes to her side, placing a hand on her shoulder.