Run is a powerful, compelling movie that shows the harsh realty of sex trafficking and yet, the hope of God’s help with the aid of prayer and the power of His promises. Stephen Baldwin is one of the stars, portraying a pimp named Jeff who will go to any extreme to secure “his girls” from escaping so that he might present them to men who intend to purchase them and ship them to Cuba. Among these girls and women is Natalie (Taylor Murphy), a young woman just married to Levi (Josiah David Warren). On their wedding night at the hotel, she is kidnapped after some traffickers see her profile against sex trafficking on her TV news report, and they decide to teach her a lesson

The harsh reality of this all-too-real problem is also portrayed in another story, that of a young girl named Emily who is contacted by a young man named Ben with the plan to meet her at an ice cream shop and kidnap her to ship her to Cuba as well. The young girl’s parents are wracked with worry when Ben and a young accomplice whisk Emily away in a van.

The horrors of what the girls and women go through, and even that of some young boys, are realistically and dramatically portrayed in this film. Yet the perseverance that both Natalie and Levi show, and Levi’s grandmother and brother, as they continually cry out for God’s intervention, is amazing. Natalie even witnesses for Christ to her captors. Due to this positive and spiritual aspect, despite some forced drug use on innocent people and a few scenes of violence, we are awarding this faith-friendly film our Dove-Approved Seal for Ages 12+. None of the scenes are gratuitous, and the satisfying conclusion of this movie offers hope; Levi’s constant search for his wife is typical of God reaching out to those who need His help.

The Dove Take

Run is a timely film with an important message—that sex trafficking exists and must be stopped at all costs. And spiritual help is needed—and available, to those in the battle to help fight this serious problem.