Tideland 2006

Jeliza-Rose, a young girl living in the chaotic environment of Los Angeles, finds herself caught up in a tumultuous life with her junkie parents. Their family’s primary source of income comes from her father’s sporadic rock concerts, while Jeliza-Rose possesses very few belongings, mainly consisting of broken toys and a cherished hardcover edition of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. As she grapples with the realities of her home life, she spends her days taking care of her parents, even going as far as preparing heroin needles for her father, who often drifts off into unconsciousness in the living room armchair. He manages to instill a sense of hope in Jeliza-Rose, telling her that one day they will escape their troubles and live together in Denmark.

Jeliza-Rose’s mother, who is characterized by her heavy smoking and compulsive eating, often insults Jeliza-Rose and is unable to provide the nurturing care a child needs. Tragically, her mother eventually dies after choking on a chocolate bar, a result of her reckless lifestyle. In a desperate attempt to avoid police involvement and the potential for Jeliza-Rose being taken into child services, her father helps her create a shroud for her mother. They then pack a few belongings and embark on a bus trip to Texas, a journey that Jeliza-Rose mistakenly believes will lead them to Denmark.

Once they arrive at an old, decrepit shack that bears the scars of youth vandalism, Jeliza-Rose is confronted with a new reality filled with decay and neglect. Despite its rundown state, she tries to embrace her surroundings, sharing the experience with her four imaginary friends, the disembodied heads of vintage Barbie dolls. Among them, Mystique becomes her closest confidante, providing comfort as Jeliza-Rose navigates her disintegrating world.

However, Jeliza-Rose’s world continues to crumble when her father overdoses that very night. Unaware of his death, she indulges in elaborate games and fantasies to cope with her grief. She encounters Dell, described as an eccentric and mean-spirited woman, who claims to have burned her family’s beehives in her youth. Initially, Jeliza-Rose regards Dell with suspicion, believing her to be a witch. She soon meets Dell’s troubled brother, Dickens, who has a learning disability and is marked by a scar from a past medical procedure. Jeliza forms a bond with him as they engage in imaginative play, turning everyday objects into vessels of adventure.

As Jeliza’s grip on reality weakens, she inadvertently drops Mystique down a rabbit hole on Dell’s property, leading to a growing paranoia that the other doll heads will betray her. After surviving on little more than peanut butter, Jeliza faints and is saved by Dell. The twisted nature of Dell’s psyche is unveiled when rather than seeking help for Jeliza, she begins to preserve her deceased father as a macabre doll, using his dried skin. A strange relationship begins to blossom between Jeliza and Dell’s family as they engage in domestic activities and paint the shack in an attempt to erase the stains of their past.

The narrative takes a turn when Jeliza-Rose finds herself caught in an inappropriate bond with Dickens, as she innocently explores feelings of affection for him. This relationship takes a darker turn when the reality of both their familial connections and past abuses emerges, revealing the incestuous ties that bind them. This chaotic family history culminates in a confrontation with Dell, as she threatens Jeliza for her perceived encroachment on Dickens’ affections, leading to a series of deeply unsettling events.

A pivotal moment occurs when Dickens, in a misguided attempt to impress Jeliza, detonates dynamite he stole from a nearby mining operation, resulting in a catastrophic train crash that reveals the tragic consequences of their actions. Meanwhile, Jolie encounters an injured woman, who, unaware of Jeliza-Rose’s traumatic background, tries to offer her comfort. The film concludes with an evocative image of Jeliza-Rose’s emotionally distant and glazed-over eyes, suggesting the profound impact of her dire circumstances and her struggle between fantasy and reality.