Let me start by saying this is not a movie for everyone. I liked it, my husband hated it. But he fell asleep. And this isn't his website so therefore mine is the ruling opinion. HA!
Basic story- 14-yr old girl and much older man (who happens to be a photographer...aren't they all...) flirt online and decide to meet. He takes her back to his place. She makes drinks. And slips him a mickey. And THAT'S where things get interesting. Turns out, she isn't the vulnerable little girl he mistook her for and she's out to make his day really, really bad.
Now I've heard complaints that this movie goes beyond reality. First of all, no shit. It is a movie after all. If I wanted reality, I would make fun of the stinky people outside the coffee shop next to the theatre. But that's a whole other story. I got the feeling that the character of Haley was supposed to be older than 14. Like an 18 yr old who faked 14. To kick some ass. I was waiting for something to be dropped like that, but nothing was. It stays very vague about both characters' respective backgrounds, which works both for and against the film. It allows for the game of action and consequence to begin without a bunch of useless crap thrown in. And in a way, I think it makes some viewers go back and forth on who is the actual "bad guy" in this film. Is she mental? Is he a pedophile? These things are just implied without hard evidence. I mean, sure, it seems pathetic if not creepy that a 30 something old man would take a 14 yr old girl to his crib, but there's all this ambiguity. First, he doesn't give her alcohol- that's her action. He suggests she call her sister to tell her where she's going to be. He seems reserved in the sexual area (not to willing to rip her clothes off). On the other hand, if some old guy lured my niece to his place like that, I would still kick ass first and ask questions later. And there is a brief mention of kiddie porn. So again...
I was almost tempted to walk out at one point. Haley gets Jeff in a rather awkward position. And by awkward position, I mean she's ready to perform surgery on him. This whole scene was just disturbing. Not gory. Nothing is shown. But the mental anguish is very intense. And I can't imagine how a guy would sit through this scene. But I stayed around to see what happened. And I'm glad I did. Cause wow.
This movie likes to fuck with your head. It's hard to feel bad for Jeff without thinking "Oh, he's a damn dirty kid lover in the wrong sort of way". But it's hard to cheer Haley without thinking it's encouraging some weirdass vigilante/sadistic justice. Definitely worth the watch though.