Tarsus

Patricia Peters is a piece of damaged goods fresh off a five-year prison stay after taking a fall into methamphetamine addiction. Patricia goes to Narcotics Anonymous after her release, but her support system is membrane-thin. Her sponsor Johnny McQuire has precious little willpower of his own, and it hardly helps that the two find each other just in time to hold hands and jump back into the abyss.

Directed by Mickey Reece, Tarsus leans on a strong ensemble — Rebecca Cox, Danny Marroquin, Jacob Snovel — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 2013.