13 Most Controversial Movie Moments Of 2017

11. Racists Are People Too - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

The Moment: Without delving too deep into spoilers here, the fact that Sam Rockwell's horribly racist, corrupt cop is somewhat redeemed by the end of the movie in an unexpected way.

Why It's Controversial: Though Martin McDonagh's new film has scored near-universal critical acclaim, it has been taken to task by some who felt that by having Rockwell's character let go of his anger and become a "good man" by film's end, it was suggesting that most racists are so easily capable of changing their ways.

Some felt that it was a facile depiction of racism which is generally far more ingrained into a person's psyche, while the film's defenders have retorted that McDonagh's depiction is simply that of one man, and not likely intended to be representative of racists in general society.

Yet another way to view it is this: McDonagh is saying that even horrible people have some measure of good in them if it can be teased out. Whether you agree with that or not will likely influence how accepting you are of the character's arc.