During the Great Depression, Kennicke, a rancher in western South Dakota, hires on vagrant workers, only to murder them when it comes time to pay. When a new vagrant, The Stranger, arrives on the ranch and asks for work, Kennicke hires him on. Kennicke quickly realizes The Stranger is different from the other drifters who have met their fate on the ranch. He is smart and vital, and always seems to understand what Kennicke is thinking. It quickly becomes apparent that The Stranger might know more about Kennicke's murderous acts than seems possible. And soon, Kennicke realizes his own life might be in danger.

Coming of age, LGBT friendly, tragic drama film. Lyrics from a Bleeding Heart focuses on the contrasting lives of Ryan, an introverted, slightly burn-scarred lyricist, and Jimmy, an extroverted, ex-college quarterback. Looking for an avenue back into the spotlight with fading football prospects, Jimmy decides to convince his best friend Eugene (a skilled drummer and somewhat nerdy pre-med student) that they should form a band. With neither being talented lyricists, they recruit Ryan to write lyrics for them in a self-centered and ill-intentioned move. Throughout the film, both Ryan and Jimmy seek fame through music, a quest for the quintessential rock star life, while failing to accept where their true talents and abilities lie. Family turmoil, promiscuity and unrequited love, social alienation and identity struggles are all explored in this drama with a devastating ending.