Movies
A Powerful Film Sheds Light on Urgent Crisis
Many thanks to Studio 523 for providing access to screen this movie before release for the purpose of review. Opinions are 100% my own.
The new film Still Hope, which is based on real-life survival experiences, opens in theaters nationwide on February 5. It shines a much-needed spotlight on the disturbing existence of human trafficking in America today, particularly the abduction of girls and young women. It's something many parents know little about, and if they are aware of it, few moms and dads are comfortable discussing with their daughters the dangers of meeting strangers online.
The Storyline
As the movie directed by Richie Johns begins, what appears to be just another ordinary family story about a wholesome 16 year-old girl named Hope (played by Luna Rivera) quickly unfolds into something much deeper, darker, and ultimately inspirational.
At its heart, Still Hope is about a teen from a loving, close-knit family who is kidnapped and forced into prostitution by someone she thought she could trust. The film doesn’t just tell a story, it reveals to the audience the true horror of the very real human trafficking that hides in plain sight across small towns and big cities alike in the United States.
Hope is just another typical teen when she meets a young man online and agrees to meet him in person. Tragically, he's not the nice guy she expected and he turns out to be a predator. Quickly she's forcibly taken against her will away from her family into the dark world of prostitution and human exploitation for many months.
The dramatization of abuse and torture by those who kidnapped the teen sets the stage for what happens after she escapes her captors. The filmmakers then intentionally shift focus of the narrative to the long winding road to rehabilitation, to her physical and emotional healing as a survivor and to Hope's ultimate reconnection with her family.
One of the film's most poignant themes is how trauma not only affects the victim directly, it also challenges and reshapes family relationships. Hope’s rehabilitation isn’t just physical, it’s emotional, mental, and spiritual. She struggles with trust, nightmares, guilt, and a deep distrust of men, including her own father, whose embrace once meant safety but now reminds her of everything she’s been through and lost.
The Reality of Human Trafficking Today
To truly appreciate Still Hope, it helps to understand the scale of the very real societal crisis it portrays. While precise numbers are difficult to pin down, credible sources show that human trafficking is a major issue in the United States.
- In 2024, the US National Human Trafficking Hotline received more than 32,000 reports of possible trafficking incidents, involving over 21,000 potential victims including thousands of minors
- Estimates suggest between 14,500 and 17,500 children are trafficked into the U.S. each year from other countries with about 80% of the victims being woman and girls
- Globally, millions are held in forced labor or sexual exploitation at any given time
These statistics are sadly quite realistic. They reflect the lives of real people like Hope which is why seeing Still Hope is so important. It reminds us that trafficking doesn't just happen somewhere else, it can happen in our backyards to kids living in seemingly safe communities.
Parent-Child Discussion Safety Tips
Without a doubt, due to the subject matter, Still Hope isn't easy to watch either for parents alone or for moms and dads to watch together with teenage children. However, it opens the door to an important conversation to have with kids which can be life-changing and potentially prevent experiences like these happening to vulnerable people, particularly girls and young women.
How to talk to kids about stranger danger
- Start early While minimizing the grim details, kids do need some awareness that not everyone online or in person is who they claim to be and could be dangerous
- Teach digital intelligence Friends online should be treated like strangers until trust can be established in verifiable ways
- Practice scenarios Reinforce that it's okay to say "no," to check in often with family and to trust their instincts
- Open the dialogue Create a home where your teens feel safe telling you about uncomfortable things they're worried about without fear of judgment
Final Thoughts
Still Hope isn’t just another film to see on the big screen that both parents and their teens will relate to. It’s educational, emotional, and deeply human. It forces us to look at a hidden community crisis through the lens of one family’s suffering and resilience. And in doing so, it offers something rare: not just a movie, but a call to awareness, compassion, and action. For certain, this film will stay with those who watch it long after the credits roll.
About Still Hope
Buy tickets now to see Still Hope in theaters starting February 5 to help build awareness about human trafficking. A portion of proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to organizations that care for the recovery of trafficking victims. Visit the official website to learn more and to see the movie trailer.
No comments:
Post a Comment