In Dogville a mysterious woman named Grace (Nicole Kidman) takes up hiding out from a mafia manhunt in the aptly named town of Dogville. The entire film is shot in a soundstage, with chalk outlines on the floor serving as the very set in which the actors interact with each other. In the film Grace meets a well-intentioned if self-righteous local named Tom (Paul Bettany), and with his help the varied townsfolk, including his father Tom Sr. (Philip Baker Hall), Ma Ginger (Lauren Bacall), Chuck (Stellan Skarsgård), Vera (Patricia Clarkson), Martha (Siobhan Fallon), and Liz (Chloë Sevigny) are convinced to conditionally assist her in hiding out, that is until the heat from the mob and constabulary is turned up. With the risk rising, the nature of the residents of Dogville starts to reveal itself in their continued demands from Grace, leading to a shocking resolution that leaves the viewer questioning whether we are defined by how we appear in the best light, or in the darkest shadows.