MEGAN IS MISSING

2011
DIRECTOR:  MICHAEL GOI
WRITER:  MICHAEL GOI
STARRING:  RACHEL QUINN AND AMBER PERKINS

I stumbled across this film on Netflix while browsing for a horror flick I haven't seen yet.  I put this on by fluke, and immediately realized it wasn't what I had initially expected.  For some odd reason I was intrigued.  I only had time to watch the first half, but my curiosity pushed me to finish it at a later sitting.  My life is somewhat altered as a result.  

I am still pondering if I find this recommendable or not.  It somewhat reminds me of Kids from 1995 because its raw and disturbing scenes make it hard to watch, however, the message is so powerful I'm thankful I did.  I absolutely suggest educating yourself about this movie prior to viewing it, which is why this will prepare you with the bulletproof vest full of spoilers!

Before watching the second half of this, I logged in to the handy IMDB where the real horror was exposed.  If i didn't cheat with IMDB and Google, I think I would have been even more damaged from a particular image.  An image I could not even stomach saving to my computer to post on this blog.  Typically I search for the most shocking pictures on the internet for this blog, but not this time.  It's far too sensitive and serious to justify any mockery.  

WARNING!  You will need a shower after reading this...

Megan is Missing features two girls in their early teens who are tortured, raped, and murdered shortly after being abducted by an internet predator.  It is filmed with a hand held camera, giving it that realistic touch that documentaries do.  Similar to The Blair Witch Project, it keeps you wondering if this really happened or not.  While reading up on this, I learned that it is not completely true, however, it is based on a combination of several similar, true events.  According to some viewer's reviews, I believe a strikingly similar story, including the blue bin and all, did occur in Portland, Oregon in 2002.  

The two best friends get kidnapped separately, resulting in the first half of the movie revolving around their backgrounds and then all the questions and possibilities about the first girl going missing.  The second half of the film is heart wrenching, as the viewer gets a front row seat to the torture the second girl endures.  The "last 22 minutes" are unforgettable in the sense that we helplessly watch a child get molested prior to being buried alive in the same blue bin holding the bloody corpse of her best friend who was confined in a disturbingly demented sexual contraption before her death.  

Contrary to much negative feedback I've read from the public, I have so many things to address and highlight.  Even though I will NEVER watch this a second time, I have to say the shock value is touching enough to scare kids straight, or update their mindset and awareness of what monstrosity the internet can hold.  Sometimes seeing the horror, as opposed to reading or hearing about it, reminds us that nobody, including children, is invincible and these things can happen to anyone at any second.  

I can't pay enough compliments to Michael Goi, the writer and director of this film.  Although the idea is based on true events, the way he told the story was unique and abstract.  Although some scenes were long and drawn out, I feel like the feeling of the message was successfully delivered as a result of this.  I don't know where he came up with some of these scenes, and more importantly, who the fuck constructed that torture chamber thing, but the message was certainly delivered.  

Rachel Quinn is the actress who plays the girl in the "trap", and I cannot credit her enough.  Props to her for being able to participate in this film because I do not think just anyone can brush off that feeling of humiliation with a simple director's "cut" call.  I also am curious how long it took to strap that thing on her.  Clearly I am still scarred.  

I found the predator to be realistic and practical.  His voice was soothing, and his story was frighteningly believable.  People can sit here all day and claim they would never be that trusting and stupid, however, children are vulnerable and unaware of the reality of danger that exists in the world today.  

In conclusion, I feel this movie is worth your time as long as you know what to expect when you watch it.  If you are looking for something similar to Saw or Se7en, keep browsing because this may be disappointing, misconstrued, and underrated if it is advertised towards an inappropriate target audience and misplaced in the wrong genre.