Hilary Duff wants to shed nice-girl image

The 23-year-old, who found fame in the Disney show, said she hopes to shake off her nice-girl image by portraying Raven – a troubled young woman who has an alcoholic prostitute for a mother.

She told metro.us: 'I hope people see it and think I did a good job in it, and see me in a different way than how they've watched me grow up, which is in more light-hearted films. It is different. I think every actor is looking for a challenge, and to play something different, and to be a part of a project with other great actors. It was a great experience. I've been trying to choose roles like that on purpose.'

She added that despite the movie’s gritty subject matter, the message is meant to be a positive one.

“I think it's more uplifting, towards the end, because they make it out,” she said.

“I think someone from a small town, or living in the circumstances that these two characters are living in, can see that it's possible, even when all the odds are against you, and that you can change your life path and change the way things have been going in your family's history.'