When a lost student headed for an out-of-state abortion is abducted by a pastor in rural Tennessee, his pregnant wife must choose between supporting her husband's radical plan or freeing the student, triggering a chain of horrific events.
Discovering she's pregnant at a very inopportune time, law student Maria Hernandez needs to take an impromptu roadtrip that ends too soon, when she launches her car into a swamp to avoid an accident. Bloodied and confused, Maria is taken in by the very pregnant Kathy, who showers Maria with kindness, including arranging a house call from the local doctor. Kathy’s husband, Pastor Lyle, arrives home and quickly realizes that Maria crashed because of lumber that slid out of his truck. Just then, the doctor tells them Maria will be fine, and quietly lets on that Maria is traveling to seek an abortion. Lyle tells Kathy that God is testing them. They cannot allow her to get an abortion. She mustn’t leave. Southern hospitality turns terrifying when Maria realizes Lyle’s plan. After a chase and a struggle, Lyle captures Maria and throws her in the cellar. Maria's impassioned pleas and logical arguments persuade Kathy to go behind her husband’s back, but Kathy’s plan to help Maria break free goes horribly wrong. The Pastor keeps the women separated, but they find themselves united in a race against time to save Maria from the man whose righteousness threatens her life.
Julie Herlocker grew up in the midwest loving movies and tv, greatly influenced by her father’s
passion for classic movies and tv showsATD. She made her way to Los Angeles, and learned the craft of
filmmaking on set and in post. As a director, her work leans to female led stories that build
tension and take unexpected turns.
Prior to directing, Herlocker spent nearly 15 years as a post producer in episodic television,
working closely with remarkable EPs, including Mark Gordon, Steven Spielberg, Aaron Sorkin,
Jim Kouf and David Greenwalt.
A graduate of the DGA's DDI Mentorship Program, Herlocker was selected for the inaugural
2024 Alliance of Women Directors Rising Director Fellowship for feature film directors. She is
currently a director in the Paramount Global Directing Initiative.
Julie Herlocker lives in Venice, CA, where she and her husband are finishing up raising their
four kids with the help of their Boston Terrier, Yogi.
Paris Screenplay Awards 2024 - Finalist
New York International Film Awards 2024 - Best Thriller Script Winner
Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards 2024 - Quarter Finalist
Producer - Mary Lou Belli
Writer - Cecile Callan
