When Mildred perceives that the local cops in the small town of Ebbing are not doing enough to find out who killed her teenage daughter she rents and puts up 3 billboards directed specifically against chief of police, Willoughby. Her actions trigger a series of events and escalations where tempers and prejudices are right under the surface. It does not matter that Willoughby is a good guy doing the best he can. It is scorched earth for Mildred and everyone in her path will pay. In typical McDonagh style the film mixes dark funny tones right before crazy scenes of horrific violence raw honest emotion.