Technology or more specifically the internet, computers and cell phones have brought plenty to our lives.  It has gotten to a point where we rely on them for everything from paying bills to ordering pizzas to playing fantasy football.  Of course, you can also do things like engage in phone calls, text and instant messaging.

It is those last three which are the bane of every parent of a teenager’s existence.  Kids are constantly doing all three.  So much so that their parents cannot get them off the computer or get a civil word out of them.  Modern technology.  This is how they communicate.  They don’t talk what they do is Facebook or text one another.  Predators know all this.  They know this is the way to get to their intended targets or age groups.  Technology can be dangerous.  Parents should be aware of that.

Annie (Liana Liberato - from television’s Sons of Anarchy) has just turned fourteen and her parents Will (Clive Owen - Inside Man, Children of Men) and Lynn (Catherine Keener - Being John Malkovich, The 40-Year-Old Virgin) have given her a new laptop.  She is thrilled as she has begun to chat with a teenage guy named Charlie online.  It has become Charlie 24/7 with Annie.  She texts him and IMs him at all hours.  They connect as they both play volleyball.

After the “relationship” has been going on for months, Charlie finally sends Annie a photo of himself.  She is shocked to discover he is not a teenager like her.  Charlie admits to her that he has been lying to her and is actually in college so in his 20s.  At first Annie is shocked and feels betrayed that Charlie lied to her.  After first initially being hesitant Charlie succeeds in charming her into trusting him again.

Even though Charlie lives in California and Annie lives in Chicago they make a plan to meet up at a mall in Chicago.  When they do meet Charlie (Chris Henry Coffey - Thirteen Days, The International) has another surprise for Annie.  Annie still goes along with what he has to say and the danger to her increases by the moment.

In the beginning I was rolling my eyes believing this was going to be your typical Lifetime film.  It soon became more than that.  Mostly due to the acting by Catherine Keener and Clive Owen.  They bring you along on their harrowing ride and pain.  Their marriage suffers and so does their mental health.  Owen is particularly effective.  He goes through a myriad of emotions like rage, horror, grief, and finally understanding.

The film is based on an assortment of true stories.  Director David Schwimmer (from television’s Friends) is an advocate for victims of sexual abuse and assault.  He came up with the idea for the film and let it percolate for a while then made this film.

As a warning there are a couple of scenes that are difficult to watch.  The assault is not pretty.  Quite harrowing, actually.

Scary is the best way to describe this film.  Especially if you are the parent of a teenage girl.  Important watch for both teenage girls and parents alike.

Special Features:
-The Story of “Trust”
-Behind the Scenes
-Interviews