The film stars Jodie Foster as Sarah Tobias, a young waitress who is gang raped by three men at a local bar. With the help of District Attorney Katheryn Murphy played by Kelly McGillis , she sets out to prosecute the rapists as well as the men who helped induce the assault.
Principal photography began in Vancouver on April 27, , and concluded on June The Accused was released in limited theatres in North America on October 14, , and premiered the following year at the 39th Berlin International Film Festival , where it competed for the Golden Bear. The film was highly controversial upon release due to its graphic portrayal of gang rape.
Despite this, it received widespread acclaim from critics, with many praising the performances of the cast and authentic portrayal of its subject matter. It was chosen by the National Board of Review as the 3rd-best film of the year. The film was credited for being one of the first mainstream films to deal with the horrors of rape and its aftermath on a victim's life. Foster's performance marked her breakthrough into adult roles, earning numerous accolades including the Academy Award for Best Actress at the 61st ceremony.
On April 18, , year-old waitress Sarah Tobias is brutally gang-raped by three men at a local bar while several patrons watch and cheer. District Attorney Katheryn Murphy is assigned to the case. Although there is strong physical evidence corroborating Sarah's rape, Katheryn feels that Sarah will not make a credible witness if the case goes to trial due to her checkered past and flirtatious behavior with the men before her attack.
She agrees to a plea bargain, allowing the three rapists to plead guilty to the lesser offense of reckless endangerment , a felony without a sexual offense, and serve nine months in prison. Sarah is angered and feels betrayed by Katheryn's decision, as she wants the chance to tell her story. Several months later, Sarah is harassed in a parking lot by one of the men who watched and encouraged her rape. In response, she drives her car into his truck, resulting in her hospitalization.
