This film, at it's heart, is a love story and a story about dreams. It also explores the too-often neglected topic of sexual abuse in our society. It depicts an impoverished white American community in a genuine and sensitive way, through stunning imagery and wonderful performances by Olivia Cooke and Chris Abbott. The heart-wrenching twists and turns develop from an authentic tone and a unique directorial voice grounded in humanity. The discomfort we feel at times is a visceral response to the story's authenticity and our growing empathy for the main character, Katie. But stay with it! Especially during this precarious moment in American history, movies like Katie Says Goodbye shed light on the inner-workings of poverty and pinpoint the various reasons why we must care more for one another.