Conviction is based on the true story of Betty Anne Waters (Hilary Swank) a high school dropout who spent nearly two decades working as a single mother while putting herself through law school, tirelessly trying to beat the system and overturn her brother's (Sam Rockwell) unjust murder conviction. At its heart, Conviction is an exploration of the profound bond between a brother and sister – a love so deep, so unequivocal, so complete that it becomes a force that will not be denied or defeated.