Sex Traffic did an excellent job showing the brutality that these women are subject to, making the viewer appropriately uncomfortable. In the end, the notion that the women go into this willingly and happily was dispelled, showing how they are treated as little more than animals and those who don't escape or get killed wind up becoming sadly obedient and pliant for their unredeemable handlers, continuing the circle of violence and exploitation.
The stand out performance here has to be John Simm. He plays the role of the bumbling and soft-hearted Daniel Appleton. He's an unlikely hero who surprises the audience by standing up to much harder individuals than himself, and to great effect. His relationship with Lena is portrayed as sweet and tender, and illustrates his sense of helplessness in the face of an enemy that is so much larger than him. Simm doesn't play the beautiful and cynical hero that audiences have become accustomed to, rather a man who truly cares and does something about it, all the while fighting his fear and pride to do so.
The rest of the cast is also phenomenal - every character becomes a real person to the viewer, to be liked or hated. That the cast members are from all over the map makes their portrayals even more effective.
This is an impressive piece of drama and documentary.
The stand out performance here has to be John Simm. He plays the role of the bumbling and soft-hearted Daniel Appleton. He's an unlikely hero who surprises the audience by standing up to much harder individuals than himself, and to great effect. His relationship with Lena is portrayed as sweet and tender, and illustrates his sense of helplessness in the face of an enemy that is so much larger than him. Simm doesn't play the beautiful and cynical hero that audiences have become accustomed to, rather a man who truly cares and does something about it, all the while fighting his fear and pride to do so.
The rest of the cast is also phenomenal - every character becomes a real person to the viewer, to be liked or hated. That the cast members are from all over the map makes their portrayals even more effective.
This is an impressive piece of drama and documentary.