Dirty Girl

Danielle is a headstrong teen whose defiant streak lands her in a special education program. Instead of accepting a quiet, corrective path, she teams up with Clarke, a restless classmate, and they take a reckless cross country ride with only a loose plan and a stubborn desire to figure out who they want to be. As they hitch rides, take odd jobs, and drift through small towns, they collide with people who push them to confront who they are and who they could become. Juno Temple delivers a fierce mix of grit and vulnerability, while Jeremy Dozier plays Clarke as wary but increasingly protective. Their partnership, imperfect and electric, becomes the unlikely anchor of the film for its raw honesty.

Directed by Abe Sylvia, Dirty Girl arrived in 2010 as an original screenplay with a four million dollar budget. It stars Juno Temple as Danielle alongside Milla Jovovich, Mary Steenburgen, Dwight Yoakam, and Jeremy Dozier, highlighting Temple's breakout lead role.

The film grossed $143,485 worldwide, a modest return against its four million dollar budget, reflecting limited release and niche appeal. It played at festivals and select theaters, but could not reach a wide audience in the United States upon release.

Critics praised its sharp humor and honest look at adolescence, class, and identity. Temple carries the film with a fierce blend of stubbornness and vulnerability, while the supporting cast provides counterpoints that sharpen its message about choosing who to become when options are limited, in a world that often disappoints.

Though not a blockbuster, the film drew attention to Juno Temple, signaling a breakout performance that helped propel her career. Its road-movie approach to sensitive topics also sparked discussions about how indie dramas address female sexuality and autonomy. Its quiet mood invites debates about resilience under pressure within modern audiences.