Abduction of Eden

The Abduction of Eden was a film with heavy content overall, but it still manages to bring an important message to light.If you've been skimming over the reviews listed here on amazon, you may have read how this film is supposed to be based off of the true story of Chong Kim, who was abducted in the mid-nineties. However, some people claim that she may have been lying about the incident, due to inconsistencies in her story over the years. In any case, I'm not going to make a judgment on whether she was telling the truth or not. The situation in the film is nothing to make light of.In the film, Jamie Chung plays the role of Hyun Jae, a high school student who gets abducted one night after she goes out, on what she thinks, is a romantic interlude with a sex trafficking predator. She's driven off to a remote facility where she and several other girls are held against their will. They are then forced into the sex trade. The girls in the film range in age. Some are supposed to be as young as 12 while others look like they may be in their early 20s.First, Jamie Chung is forced to make an S&M video where she and another girl are cuffed and then whipped by a dominatrix. Eventually she's forced, by her handlier, to see Jon's. It's a pretty disturbing situation overall and pulls at your heart strings, but that's the purpose of the film. You eventually begin to follow Chung's plight and the details of her daily life. The film takes some thrilling twists and turns until it reaches a conclusion where Chung eventually escapes from her whole ordeal.I have to say, this film does a good job of depicting the horrors these young girls face once they get abducted into this life. Jamie Chung, in particular, did an excellent job of conveying her emotions at times without using any words. There were several scenes where she had no dialogue at all, but her expressions and demeanor communicated how she was feeling. I can see why she was recognized as an up and coming actress after this role.The film doesn't spend much time on how cruel this world can be in graphic way though. It does however, depict how some girls move up through the ranks to try to get more control over the situation they're in. Jamie Chung's character does this to great effect, as she gains the confidence of her pimp. It gains her access to easier jobs that don't include relationships with the Jons. I guess that's something to strive for, when you're in a bad situation, not of your own making.The other aspect in the film, that I found interesting, was how the sex traffickers justified what they were doing to the girls. The idea that the girls are better off in this lifestyle is mentioned once by Matt O'Leary, since many of them come from bad backgrounds. Such as parents who are drug addicts. Of course that's not a justification, but the way they convince themselves of this is eye opening. The film also shows how volatile this lifestyle can be for the traffickers. Between the drug use; the worries over being backstabbed by others in the organization, and the fear of being caught by authorities, there's plenty for them to worry about.In the end I gave the film a four. The four is mainly due to Jamie Chung's performance, which made the film engaging overall. I also thought the director did a good job presenting this material without being too pushy and off color with the details. But this is not a film to take lightly. It's a film with heavy undertones. It also reveals how vulnerable young women can be if they are picked up by the wrong guy. It could serve as an example for young women to be very careful while they're out and about. And about who they're hanging out with. I believe that was one of the intended messages here.A well-made film, but I'd only recommend it if you have an interest in this story or about how terrible things can be for these girls. Having seen several other films staring Jamie Chung is what brought me to this movie. I was interested in her acting here, since she was recognized for her role in this film. But this is in no way a family movie, nor a good date movie. It's more of an informative film about sex trafficking that still manages to create a thriller-esque type atmosphere along the way. If that's what you're looking for, you can give it a try. It's kind of like reading a heavy book. So just know that before going in.

All the shock value and grit of a true crime horror, but without going too over the top. Something that could help teach younger girls about the perils of a very real problem in today's society. As a criminal justice student and working in a social care setting, I have read countless autobiographies, and seen many of these types of movies There are movies that are very detailed and could make you nauseated, but I would hesitate to show them to younger girls, and there are the portrayals that are all drama (like a Lifetime Network type movie) but undermine the brutal and sheer magnitude of the problem. I'm not saying those type are sub par, they just are what they are. More of an "after-school special" than a thought provoking representation of how well these criminals can play out normal lives and still be the epitome of a monster. I agree with the reviewer about the portrayal of human life being viewed as objects, but would add that unlike some objects, like drugs, humans can be exploited repeatedly, so the value is higher and thus the appeal to the greedy, seedy perpetrators. The scariest part of this is the infiltration of the legal system (officers of the law, immigration, people with power and wealth that can make the situation even more untenable. Luckily, with the actions and testimonies of brave women and the uncorrupted authority figures these atrocities are being fought against, but the fact that it exists is truly beyond horror. No human should ever be "owned' by any other. Ever.

Acting and production quality was outstanding. The subject matter, horrid.Human trafficking's is universal, it occurs in every country in the world, and the younger and prettier the victim, the greater the profit. Evil like this continues in this world because good men (and women) do nothing to stop it.Imagine what the US Congress could do with all of the $Billions in "pork" spent, if a majority in the Senate and House simple wished to end this practice, at least within this country's borders. Imagine if all of the brainpower and money that the social media/tech giants spend on political censorship, if that same amount of effort were put into identifying and stopping sex and human trafficking. Do you wonder why they do not? Answer the question "who benefits", and you have your answer.If the protagonist in this movie had been the daughter of a US President, VP, Senator, House member, Attorney General, FBI Director, tech $billionaire, etc., I would expect a different response from the US government. These "throw away children" don't have enough "social status", enough real importance to the movers and shakers in this country (USA) or the world. Plus (pssst, here's secret), some of them personally "use" these sorts of victims. Ask a certain prominent politician's son who is on tape with minors, a man who's I can't mention here (or this won't be published). This isn't, and shouldn't be a partisan issue.

I read a review that someone couldn't get through this because it was too real. The shocking reality is this movie is very mild to what actually goes on. That person clearly has lived a very sheltered and privileged life. It shocks the lack of awareness to human trafficking and the fact clearly not enough is being done to stop it. The movie and the story line was very bleh, a lot of build up to a semi happy ending, we hope. I am only giving 2 stars because the more awareness the better.

They made me wish that the bad ones would be wiped out. So sad for people being trafficked.

I liked this movie, the gore and horror isnt that much to be honest, and from the cover it looks a bit B movie, but it isnt at all. Dont let that put you off. The story line is very interesting, how this set up all works, and knowing this is a true story as well makes it all the better.If you like horrors/thrillers, this is worth a watch !!normally i play with my phone whilst watching some random rubbish on tv, i didnt pick it up once whilst watching this.

A young woman goes for a night out in New Mexico where a handsome stranger offers her a ride home but she never gets there instead aducted into a life of drugs and prostitution by a human and drug organization. Very suspenseful and fantastic acting by the cast based on a true story I feel deeply for the victim. I rated this an A grade plus for being unerving ideas and telling it all. Enjoy!

a good film covering a very real if not often seen subject matter. i was hoping the film would be more hard hitting than it was. some films need to be hard hitting to shock you and make you think about it for hours, days or even weeks after watching. sadly this film did not.it is a good film though and i would recommend it.

Really enjoyed this movie, it's themed a little towards the adult so keep away from the kids.( nothing bad but it's of a sexual theme)Storyline was great and I enjoyed watching it!!!

could not work whithout installing apps even if you don't want them on my blue ray player