Exclusive: Poster For ‘The Girl’ Starring Abbie Cornish; Set For December 14th Oscar Qualifying Run Before Release In March 2013

As readers of The Playlist may have noticed, we think Abbie Cornish is on the cusp of a breakthrough. Arthouse audiences already know she's got the goods, giving strong performances in Cate Shortland's "Somersault" (her breakout turn) and Jane Campion's gorgeous and underrated "Bright Star." Hollywood has certainly paid attention, with the actress scoring supporting parts in a variety of films including "Sucker Punch," "Seven Psychopaths," "Limitless" and next summer's "RoboCop." But for those looking for another leading turn by Cornish, she's got a new movie on the way.

Co-starring Will Patton and introducing Maritza Santiago Hernandez, "The Girl" finds Cornish playing Ashley, an emotionally distraught young woman coming to grips with her child being taken away by Social Services, who is also in dire straits financially, and begins to ferry illegal immigrants across the border from Mexico into Texas to keep the bills paid. But when a young girl named Rosa comes into her care, everything begins to change for Ashley. And this exclusive new poster for the film highlights the bond that Ashley and Rosa share.

Directed by David Riker (his sophomore effort, arriving nearly fifteen years after his debut "The City"), the film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival earlier this year. In our review from Tribeca, we called the drama the meatiest role she's had since "Somersault" and "Candy" (the latter featuring her going toe-to-toe with Heath Ledger and holding her own). We wrote that Cornish "shines" in the lead part, which she "plays quietly with an internal smoldering." "The Girl" will be opening in select theaters for a one-week awards-qualifying engagement on Friday, December 14th, followed by a full theatrical release in March 2013. Here's our Tribeca interview with Riker and Cornish.