TRAFFIK
An important, harrowing thriller about human trafficking — for adults only.
Should You Watch It?
TRAFFIK is a well-made thriller that sheds important light on the great human evil of trafficking and sexual slavery in America. Brea is not merely a victim: She bravely acts to save herself and expose the traffickers. The story also gives John and Darren opportunities to protect the women they love.
The film takes too long to reach its trafficking plot, spending substantial time establishing the romantic getaway and the conflicts surrounding it. Once the thriller begins, however, it becomes harrowing and frightening, with strong foul language, sexual exploitation, and sometimes graphic violence.
This is worthwhile for adults who can engage its message without being overwhelmed by its content. For children and young teens, choose something else. The practical answer: see TRAFFIK only if you are an adult prepared for its disturbing material.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESBrea, an investigative journalist, travels with her boyfriend, John, to a mountain cabin for a romantic getaway. After a troubling encounter at a gas station, Brea discovers that a phone has been placed in her bag.
The phone reveals evidence of human trafficking. When the people connected to it come looking, Brea and John must fight to survive while she tries to expose the evil she has uncovered.
Is It Any Good?
Three stars means TRAFFIK is a good, well-made thriller with a meaningful subject, though it has notable flaws. Writer-director Deon Taylor uses his experience making horror movies to create an intense and harrowing story. The film’s strongest achievement is bringing human trafficking into the light while giving Brea courage and agency.
The movie’s main weakness is its pacing. It takes too long to arrive at the trafficking plot, delaying the thriller that the story promises. Taylor works well with the actors, including Paula Patton as Brea, Omar Epps as John, Laz Alonso as Darren, and Roselyn Sanchez as Malia. Luke Goss and Missi Pyle also deliver creepy performances as members of the trafficking operation.
The Worldview
TRAFFIK presents a strong moral worldview by exposing human trafficking and sexual slavery in America as a great human evil. The film values courage, protection, and action against exploitation. Brea chooses to act rather than remain merely a victim, while the people around her must decide whether they will help protect those in danger.
The movie also depicts corruption and the deliberate abuse of vulnerable women. Its message is morally serious, though its delivery includes disturbing violence, sexual exploitation, and other adult material. The film’s central moral concern aligns with Scripture’s call to defend the vulnerable and oppose injustice: “learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression” (Isaiah 1:17).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
Strong moral worldview in a harrowing thriller that exposes human trafficking and sexual slavery in America
Foul Language
at least 79 obscenities (many “s” and “f” words) and 11 light profanities (such as OMG)
Violence
Some extreme, graphic violence such as people shot in the head, other gunplay with people shot, villain shoots a policeman in cold blood, intense fighting, woman slugged, men slugged, and women kidnapped to become sexual slaves sold to the highest bidder(s)
Sex
Passionate kissing in an exotic swimming pool, implied fornication, and women are kidnapped to be forced into the sex trade
Nudity
Upper male nudity, and woman in black underwear, plus one short scene implies she took her bra off and phone has photos of women in halter tops posing for sex slave “buyers”
Alcohol Use
Alcohol use and man gets angry and upset and starts downing whiskey from a bottle
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
No smoking, drug references or promotion of illegal substances;
Miscellaneous Immorality
Gang of human traffickers kidnap women and puts them in trucks and have some in a cave they’ve constructed, traffickers inject heroine with a drug to make her unconscious, and a sheriff is corrupt.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The film shows people being exploited for profit. What does it mean to “seek justice” when vulnerable people are being harmed?
Isaiah 1:17 · Micah 6:8Brea refuses to remain passive when she discovers the trafficking evidence. When should courage move us from concern to action?
James 2:14–17 · Proverbs 31:8–9The film includes a corrupt sheriff and people who must decide whether to help. How can power be used either to protect people or to exploit them?
Mark 10:42–45 · Romans 13:3–4Human trafficking treats people as objects rather than as persons. What does Scripture say about the worth of every human being?
Genesis 1:27 · Psalm 139:13–14The Final Word
TRAFFIK is a well-made, harrowing thriller that exposes a terrible human evil and gives its heroine courage. Its strong language, sexual material, and graphic violence make it unsuitable for children and young teens. For discerning adults, it is WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY. For a gentler family choice, see.
