Megan is Missing (2011)

Megan is Missing (2011)

Dir- Michael Goi

Social media is a dual-edged sword offering people access to information and presenting significant risks. Megan is Missing is a 2011 screen-life horror movie that shows the dangers that young women face from internet predators. Amy Herman and Megan Stewart, two teenage best friends from different social circles, meet someone online who proves to be a dangerous online stalker. After Megan disappears while meeting a guy, Amy looks for answers and learns she is also in grave danger. Megan is Missing is a low-budget film that shocked audiences with its realistic and tragic storyline that would gain the film a reputation as one of the most disturbing movies of its day. The cast featured young unknown actresses in the lead roles giving the movie a pseudo-documentary feel as if the audience was watching a true-crime documentary. The film is very graphic in its depiction of over-sexualized teen behavior and sexual violence that pushes into exploitation territory. This is not an easy film to watch, and in recent years, it gained a dubious reputation on the social media app TikTok with people revealing their shock and disgust with the film's intense and graphic final act. The film was banned in New Zealand for its sexual and violent content. The director Michael Goi has even put out messages warning people about the movie but feels it is an effective way to warn parents of the dangers that unsupervised social media presents to young teens.