Having lived in the Ozarks for over forty years now, I will say that the film is realistic to a point.   It does not depict all of the people who live in the Ozarks, or even the majority of folk in the Ozarks. For the most part, the people who live in the Ozarks are much like those one would find in any community. But in some instances there are people much like the worse of those depicted in the novel and the film. The film also portrayed some strong qualities and determination that is to be found in people who have endured extreme poverty and even neglect.