THE ACCUSED (1988)

CHARACTER Sarah Tobias, trailer-dwelling waitress

IMPERILED? In yet another extremely dark scene of sexual violence, Foster plays Sarah, who is gang-raped at a bar. She must also undergo the humiliation of the criminal justice system, which uses her less-than-pristine past and her alcoholism to cast doubt on her credibility.

EMPOWERED? Sarah persuades prosecutor Kathryn Murphy (Kelly McGillis) to help her face her assailants — and those who egged them on — in court.

EW MOVIE GRADE: A-