The United States of Leland

The United States of Leland is a 2003 American drama film written and directed by Matthew Ryan Hoge, starring Ryan Gosling, Don Cheadle, Chris Klein, and Jena Malone. The film follows the eponymous Leland, a teenager who seemingly randomly murders a young boy, and his juvenile hall teacher's attempts to understand why he did it in the aftermath. The film premiered at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival on January 18, 2003, and saw a limited theatrical release on April 2, 2004.