“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” made its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this month, and if the reception it received at TIFF is any indication, the dark comedy/crime drama may be a serious contender come awards season. The Frances McDormand-starrer earned rave reviews from critics and has been named the winner of TIFF’s People’s Choice Award, a press release has announced. The award is decided on the basis of ballots cast by audience members. Along with prestige and press, the honor includes a $15,000 cash prize.

McDormand delivers a stunning performance as Mildred Hayes, a woman who resorts to unusual means while seeking justice for her late daughter, who was raped and murdered months prior. Not a single arrest has been made since, so Mildred decides to rent three billboards in her small town drawing attention to this fact and singling out the beloved local chief of police.

Mildred is grieving — but she’s not the weepy type. She’s unapologetically harsh in her words and deeds, and as a flashback shows, she was this way before her daughter’s death, too. She’s also hilarious — one of the highlights of “Three Billboards” sees Mildred verbally eviscerating a priest who comes to discourage her attack on the police.

“Three Billboards” is a rare opportunity to see a film with a female protagonist over 50 (McDormand is 60). And this isn’t the kind role we’re used to seeing older women in (she’s not playing a royal figure, for starters). Mildred is a brash, violent anti-heroine. It’s very likely that McDormand will be among the frontrunners during awards season.

The “Olive Kitteridge” star won an Oscar in 1997 for “Fargo.” She’s also received nods for “North Country,” “Almost Famous,” and “Mississippi Burning.”

You can catch “Three Billboards” when it hits theaters November 10.