The news has been awash with stories from the recent Golden Globe Awards - whether it's concerning disgraced directors and actors across Hollywood or women wearing black in solidarity with those who have come forward over sexual misconduct.

But another thing that comes from the awards is an idea about which film might be taking home the Oscars, the BAFTAs, and all the other statuettes that can be received around this time of year. In 2018, the film that swept away the critics and is getting all the attention is Martin McDonagh's Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, which comes to the big screen nationwide on Friday.

To get into the nitty gritty of the plot of this film would be to spoil it entirely but I can say this: whatever you think you know, you don't. And then you think you know it again, and then you really don't again. Imagine this pattern a few times over and you've got the gist.

The film opens with Mildred, played masterfully by Frances McDormand, paying a year up front to have three slogans written in large letters on three billboards outside her hometown. We learn that Mildred is using these billboards to call out police to get their act together and investigate further into the case of a young girl, and from there the twists and turns begin.

Police Chief Willoughby is played by Woody Harrelson and his police sidekick, the racist and wildly violent deputy Jason, is played with absolutely relish by Sam Rockwell. But even they, though painted as the villains of the piece when the film begins, are given layers and dimensions and angles which make it impossible to brand them as such by the end.

This is the real trick that McDonagh plays beautifully on his audience. Not only is the film well shot, full of whip-smart dialogue and incredibly well-portrayed characters, it also takes you on a journey and never gives you an inkling of where it might be going. Even in its tone, the audience is moved from a dramatic moment to a rip-roaringly funny moment within minutes, and the story's winding narrative is completely genius.

This is an absolute must-see and will certainly be one that will keep its name in the headlines as awards season continues.