"I watched many documentaries about sexual assault victims, talk shows with sexual assault as the theme.
"I watched films that tackle sexual assault. Also I read several books in which females were raped. It was a very dark couple of months."
The movie is based on a novella by Joyce Carol Oates. The story centres on Teena's brutal attack on July 4, American Independence Day.
Detective John Dromoor, played by Cage, sees the justice system is failing Teena and takes the law into his own hands to help her transition from victim, to survivor.
What at first looks like an easy conviction goes sideways when the rapists hire a very slick lawyer, who smears Bethie as a drunken brat and her mother as a prostitute.
"It was the most exposed and raw I've ever been for an extended period of time," Hutchison said. "We shot about two days with Teena pre-attack so the rest of the shoot I was a wreck.
"We would shoot for 14 hours and I would go home and watch more documentaries or speak with survivors of assault victims.
"I was purposely keeping myself in a very untrusting state. Except for Talitha Bateman. It was very important to me to create an impenetrable bond with her as she plays my daughter, Bethie. There wasn't a moment we were apart."
Hutchison also stars alongside Miami Vice legend Don Johnson in the movie.
"Nicolas is incredible and so generous with his time, so honest," she added. "Don was very cheeky."
Hutchison has also just finished filming a role on American martial arts TV hit Kingdom and next heads to Scotland to film a comedy.
