29 reviews
If some of the IMDb reviewers were to have a gun pointed at THEIR head they might share a different opinion of this true crime story
Of course this LifeTime film ignored some of the more brutal aspects of Kara Robinson's kidnapping and her eventual escape at the hands of her kidnapper Richard Evonitz. Both lead actors Katie Douglas who played Kara Robinson and little known (but busy) character actor. Kristian Bruun who played the real life kidnapper Richard Evonitz excelled in their respective roles.
After Richard is successful in containing the frightened Kara in his apartment he begins to ask her a series of personal questions that any parent of a teenage child would be disgusted with having to listen to, let alone realize what was about to happen to Kara repeatedly over the next 18 hours at the hands of her kidnapper Richard Evonitz.
Escape was on Kara's mind from the get go, and if the viewer realizes that this was an actual kidnapping and sexual assault the viewer need only try and put themselves in Kara's position and ask yourself the following: "Would I have the same determination and focus as Kara did to survive and escape?"
I rate this true crime story a decent 7 out of 10 IMDb rating.
After Richard is successful in containing the frightened Kara in his apartment he begins to ask her a series of personal questions that any parent of a teenage child would be disgusted with having to listen to, let alone realize what was about to happen to Kara repeatedly over the next 18 hours at the hands of her kidnapper Richard Evonitz.
Escape was on Kara's mind from the get go, and if the viewer realizes that this was an actual kidnapping and sexual assault the viewer need only try and put themselves in Kara's position and ask yourself the following: "Would I have the same determination and focus as Kara did to survive and escape?"
I rate this true crime story a decent 7 out of 10 IMDb rating.
- Ed-Shullivan
- Nov 1, 2023
- Permalink
Quite a moving abduction story!
- Chartreuse1
- Feb 13, 2023
- Permalink
So many pervs out there
- captaintetanus
- Aug 23, 2023
- Permalink
A movie desperately in need of a technical advisor!
Katie Douglas has a promising career ahead of her ...
... and this film is not going to be part of it. On Ginny and Georgia, Douglas manages to make her character stand out by underplaying, and by relying on her natural charisma. On that show, of course, she is aided by A-list writers, cast members, directors. This movie, on its best day, dressed in its best Sunday suit, is a B-movie, with shortcuts taken everywhere. Many obvious opportunities for deep emotional beats are missed, simply because the actors and the script are not up to snuff. The PR package makes a huge fuss about Kara's courage, which, in real life, was staggering. None of that comes through here. Emotions are like a roller coaster. To create the "up," you must first create the "down." By deliberately minimizing the horror of the captivity, writer Haley Harris denied viewers access to the downs. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))
- A_Different_Drummer
- Feb 13, 2023
- Permalink
The scenes often are abrupt, but this is a moving story
I like how this film put more emphasis on Kara's daring escape and the aftermath of the attack. The actual kidnapping and subsequent restraints that the kidnapper used were scary enough, but we also got to see how Kara's strong memory helped the police get eyes on the suspect.
The key to this movie is that Kara is a survivor. She does recognize the trauma of her experience, but she doesn't let it dictate her entire life outlook. And it makes perfect sense that she wanted to seek justice and watch her captor get locked behind bars.
It's not an exquisite film. The boyfriend and best friend characters are left in the shadows. Also the scenes of the police investigative work aren't very well established. I still liked this film enough to recommend it.
The key to this movie is that Kara is a survivor. She does recognize the trauma of her experience, but she doesn't let it dictate her entire life outlook. And it makes perfect sense that she wanted to seek justice and watch her captor get locked behind bars.
It's not an exquisite film. The boyfriend and best friend characters are left in the shadows. Also the scenes of the police investigative work aren't very well established. I still liked this film enough to recommend it.
- burgerman93
- May 27, 2023
- Permalink
moving story, could've been executed better
"The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story" is a gripping true crime documentary that follows the harrowing journey of Kara Robinson, a survivor of human trafficking.
The documentary is a powerful reminder of the horrors of human trafficking and the importance of bringing awareness to this issue. Through interviews with Kara Robinson, her family, and law enforcement officials, viewers are able to gain insight into the tactics and strategies of human traffickers, and the devastating impact that this crime has on victims and their families.
One of the strengths of the documentary is its focus on Kara Robinson's resilience and strength. Despite the unimaginable trauma she endured, Kara shares her story with remarkable candor and bravery. Her courage is a testament to the human spirit and serves as an inspiration to others who have survived similar ordeals.
The film also highlights the importance of collaboration between law enforcement and community organizations in the fight against human trafficking. Viewers see how law enforcement officials worked closely with Kara's family and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to locate her and bring her captors to justice.
However, one criticism of the documentary is that it could have gone deeper into the issue of human trafficking and its root causes. While the film is successful in raising awareness of the issue, it leaves the audience with many questions about what can be done to prevent trafficking and support survivors.
Overall, "The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story" is a powerful and important documentary that sheds light on the dark world of human trafficking. It is a reminder that we all have a role to play in combating this crime and supporting survivors.
The documentary is a powerful reminder of the horrors of human trafficking and the importance of bringing awareness to this issue. Through interviews with Kara Robinson, her family, and law enforcement officials, viewers are able to gain insight into the tactics and strategies of human traffickers, and the devastating impact that this crime has on victims and their families.
One of the strengths of the documentary is its focus on Kara Robinson's resilience and strength. Despite the unimaginable trauma she endured, Kara shares her story with remarkable candor and bravery. Her courage is a testament to the human spirit and serves as an inspiration to others who have survived similar ordeals.
The film also highlights the importance of collaboration between law enforcement and community organizations in the fight against human trafficking. Viewers see how law enforcement officials worked closely with Kara's family and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to locate her and bring her captors to justice.
However, one criticism of the documentary is that it could have gone deeper into the issue of human trafficking and its root causes. While the film is successful in raising awareness of the issue, it leaves the audience with many questions about what can be done to prevent trafficking and support survivors.
Overall, "The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story" is a powerful and important documentary that sheds light on the dark world of human trafficking. It is a reminder that we all have a role to play in combating this crime and supporting survivors.
Amazing story!! Worth a watch if you don't know the true story of Kara Robinson. The downside is that it's a Lifetime movie
This film is based on the true story of Kara Robinson, so if you aren't aware of her story then I recommend watching this. Kara is kidnapped from her friend's front yard at 15 years old. She fights to survive, but will she make it? It's an inspiring story that gives you hope and makes you feel a sense of strength and accomplishment from such a young girl.
The only reason I rated it on the lower end of the scale is due to the fact that it's a Lifetime movie, so it's not high quality drama, cinematography, or story telling. Nor is the acting up to par. But with saying that, there were two parts that made me cry thinking about everything this sweet girl (and the people around her) went through, so even thought it's a Lifetime movie, it obviously does a good job at getting Kara's story out.
The only reason I rated it on the lower end of the scale is due to the fact that it's a Lifetime movie, so it's not high quality drama, cinematography, or story telling. Nor is the acting up to par. But with saying that, there were two parts that made me cry thinking about everything this sweet girl (and the people around her) went through, so even thought it's a Lifetime movie, it obviously does a good job at getting Kara's story out.
- katiebugg-49971
- Apr 2, 2023
- Permalink
Tough to watch
Didn't really know much about this story going into it. My wife wanted to watch something that was real and true and this popped up so we gave it a try. About ten minutes into the movie and it became hard to watch. It was really intense and difficult subject matter, but we got through it. I HATED that man from the second I saw him and my hatred never diminished throughout the movie. I know he is only an actor, but he played it so well that it was him I hated and not the part.
The young girl does an excellent job of portraying a girl in a really difficult situation. Listening to the thoughts on her head gives us a unique view on what to do and how to do it. How the real Kara remained calm under intense pressure like this is amazing.
I've seen people say this is for all ages, I don't think so. I think it needs to be seen by people in their early teens, but I wouldn't want younger kids to be exposed to nightmare inducing things like this.
I'm not a fan of Lifetime movies at all, but this was a good one. I spent most of the movie wiping the tears from my eyes. It was that good. I'd have given it a higher rating except for the poor performances by a couple of the actors, but don't let that stop you from watching it.
The young girl does an excellent job of portraying a girl in a really difficult situation. Listening to the thoughts on her head gives us a unique view on what to do and how to do it. How the real Kara remained calm under intense pressure like this is amazing.
I've seen people say this is for all ages, I don't think so. I think it needs to be seen by people in their early teens, but I wouldn't want younger kids to be exposed to nightmare inducing things like this.
I'm not a fan of Lifetime movies at all, but this was a good one. I spent most of the movie wiping the tears from my eyes. It was that good. I'd have given it a higher rating except for the poor performances by a couple of the actors, but don't let that stop you from watching it.
Decent
- souleaster
- Feb 13, 2023
- Permalink
Bad Acting
This was a very poorly made movie. The film did not make me feel any empathy with the characters. It is very obvious that they're not experienced actors. In parts of the movie the still pictures do not seem real. When a scene would be over it would go black for about a second, terrible transition because it makes the viewer think that the movie was over. Multiple if not all the actors did not display genuine emotions, the tears were very much forced or none at all. For a victim of such extremity the character's attitude was very nonchalant. Lack of common sense was shown throughout the whole movie.
- murillomagdalena
- Aug 25, 2023
- Permalink
A Profile in Courage
Meh
At first I was super interested and impressed with the movie I mean the details were just so interesting and the story line was well written and the actors were great but towards the ending the main girl just became so annoying and just wanting to go ti back to normal and the fact she was so annoying she made stop the movie because she became so bratty I mean other than the ending the movie was okay but the movie would have been better if she just wasn't so bratty and it really just ruined the ready of the movie for me so I would recommend the movie cause it's good just the ending wasn't it for me.
- alliedefilippis
- Apr 16, 2024
- Permalink
eh
I love katie douglas shes a great actress she did so amazing in the lisa mcvey movie but this movie is sugar coated and you dont see the actual trauma she went through just what happened after i wish it was more open like the lisa mcvey movie
it was also annoying how much you hear the same words over and over again.
This movie could've been a lot better if it wasn't sugar coated Katie Douglas did a good job though but this movie isn't worth watching a second time like the rest of lifetime movies they should've used all of Katie's amazing acting skills but it was a step down but that is just my opinion.
This movie could've been a lot better if it wasn't sugar coated Katie Douglas did a good job though but this movie isn't worth watching a second time like the rest of lifetime movies they should've used all of Katie's amazing acting skills but it was a step down but that is just my opinion.
- sweetcandybaby-44614
- Feb 13, 2023
- Permalink
Good story not a great movie
So this is a real story about a girl that kidnapped that really touched me. I liked some technicalities such as the sound design, cause it was often like a heartbeat which really made my heartbeat follow the rhythm. Plus I liked the performance of little Kara, she was really good, and the fact that the movie did not show the violent scenes. Finally I liked the simple cinematography.
What I didn't like: well the screenplay was not as great, there were some holes. Also some people were saying the same thing over and over again, it was not a certain word or phrase but whole dialogs. I understand that in real life in this situation you would probably make the same conversations but this is a movie, and the audience is going to get bored sometimes.
Otherwise it was really good one of the best of its kind.
What I didn't like: well the screenplay was not as great, there were some holes. Also some people were saying the same thing over and over again, it was not a certain word or phrase but whole dialogs. I understand that in real life in this situation you would probably make the same conversations but this is a movie, and the audience is going to get bored sometimes.
Otherwise it was really good one of the best of its kind.
- evoula-30012
- Jul 19, 2024
- Permalink
Really bad film
- d-cisowska
- Oct 29, 2023
- Permalink
Good story, good message!
The whole movie/story is great! Very well acted by the actress, Katie Douglas. She did a fantastic job.
The message in this story is don't lose it! As she was repeating the words, noting details as best as she could.
Initially, the response from Police3 is typical, they won't do much if anything until 48 hours, runaway, staying with friends, blah blah.
I think young girls/women should watch it, it's almost like a training movie of how to deal with an abduction. That is of course if the abductor behaves like this character. He may just abduct, rape, murder and that's that! Sadly.
I recommend this movie to all ages....
The message in this story is don't lose it! As she was repeating the words, noting details as best as she could.
Initially, the response from Police3 is typical, they won't do much if anything until 48 hours, runaway, staying with friends, blah blah.
I think young girls/women should watch it, it's almost like a training movie of how to deal with an abduction. That is of course if the abductor behaves like this character. He may just abduct, rape, murder and that's that! Sadly.
I recommend this movie to all ages....
- Australian1
- Feb 13, 2023
- Permalink
low budget unrealistic
Unrealistic. Doesn't make sense the story. Shows how hopeless the police were. The acting is woody. The dialogue is not believable. The girl acts like nothing happened after doesn't seem believable. Tedious to watch. O think this seems like a remake of an older movie. Its very low budget. The cinematography is mediocre. The dialogue is woody also...seems alot os made up after the fact. Amazing how incompetent the police are in America if this movie is to believed. It was very boring to watch, I had to force myself to watch til the end of it. It just doesn't make sense too . All the actors are so bad.
Good movie
An excellent movie to watch and follow what's been happening. Very simple and easy to watch. No twists or adding fictions or making a long series out of it or no dilutions or no camera shaking. Just pure and simply made to show what happened, facts !
Amazing acting by Katie Douglas. Great expressions at the right times and beautifully played. Can't believe she is 24 in real life but acted as a 15 year old girl in this movie. She is easily believable as 15 here. Would love to watch more of her work in future.
Don't know why other reviewers are so critical and analyzing technically, and lower ratings. This is just a movie based on true story, and I believe the film makers done well in both parts, abduction and aftermath. You guys easily rate garbage movies so high like the new Black Panther, yet rate low on good movies like this one.
Amazing acting by Katie Douglas. Great expressions at the right times and beautifully played. Can't believe she is 24 in real life but acted as a 15 year old girl in this movie. She is easily believable as 15 here. Would love to watch more of her work in future.
Don't know why other reviewers are so critical and analyzing technically, and lower ratings. This is just a movie based on true story, and I believe the film makers done well in both parts, abduction and aftermath. You guys easily rate garbage movies so high like the new Black Panther, yet rate low on good movies like this one.
"THE GIRL WHO ESCAPED: THE KARA ROBINSON STORY" REVIEW
Directed by Simone Stock. A runtime of one hour and twenty-eight minutes. Streaming on Hulu with a TV-14 rating. Based on a true story.
"Kara Robinson" played by Katie Douglas is your average fifteen-year-old. She's inexperienced and thinks she's in love with her boyfriend "Ryan" played by Brandon McEwan. "Kara" has a best friend in "Jess" played by Sophia Carriere whom she's around every living moment. So much so her mom "Debra" played by Cara Buono considers her part of the family.
We Other than her parents being divorced and her dad "Ron" played by Paul Essiembre living five hours away. "Kara" has a near-perfect teenage life. But that all comes to a screeching halt when "Richard Evonitz" played by Kristian Brunn abducts "Kara" right out of her best friend's front yard.
"Kara" is bright and level-headed. She was able to compartmentalize being raped and humiliated. "Kara" used what she learned about her assailant in the brief time she was captured. Not only escaping but using the information she learned to help stop "Richard" from ever doing this to anyone else.
"The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story" was a messed up story. Messed up in what she had to go through. But on the flip side, it also shows how resilient this young teenager was. Teenagers might not make the best decisions when it comes to relationships at times but they are still highly intelligent and can overcome a lot. Especially "Kara" in what should have been a debilitating situation.
When it comes to the actual film I was tricked again. I thought this was a normal film but it turned out to be a lifetime film. Which I won't completely rip lifetime. The series "You" originated there. But this isn't that.
I'll give this some bail because it depicts a true story. Lifetime shouldn't have been the one to do it though. Instead of Hulu purchasing this from Lifetime, HBO, or one of the bigger streamers should have done this.
The transitions were bad and the acting wasn't any better. I wanted to hate the story but I had to keep saying to myself it was not the story it was the acting depicting the story.
I hate that Cara Buono gets pigeonholed into always playing the stereotypical mother. It's so annoying. Side note why were the police so messed up? They seemed to not give a rat's ass about "Kara". I loved the scene when " Kara" gave it to "Sheriff Dale Stevens" played by John B. Lowe who was Luke warm to "Debra" when she was making her initial plea for help.
Overall I was a little irritated with "Debra" and frustrated by "Kara" for how she acted after the whole ordeal. But who am I to say how to process this type of situation? I will say I feel for "Kara's" parents as well. That's a hard situation to be in. You just want to know everything and want to keep your child forever in your pocket. They might not understand that. "Kara" would just have to hate me because I wouldn't have let her out of my sight.
Anyway the film story was five mor fires. I'm glad it got out and was told to the public. I just wish a bigger streamer did it. "Kara" deserved it. Only when it comes to the film aspect, I have to give it two mor fires 🔥🔥.
#CosmoandtheMovieWithin #CosmoMovieBlog #CosmoLanier #TheGirlWhoEscapedTheKaraRobinsonStory.
"Kara Robinson" played by Katie Douglas is your average fifteen-year-old. She's inexperienced and thinks she's in love with her boyfriend "Ryan" played by Brandon McEwan. "Kara" has a best friend in "Jess" played by Sophia Carriere whom she's around every living moment. So much so her mom "Debra" played by Cara Buono considers her part of the family.
We Other than her parents being divorced and her dad "Ron" played by Paul Essiembre living five hours away. "Kara" has a near-perfect teenage life. But that all comes to a screeching halt when "Richard Evonitz" played by Kristian Brunn abducts "Kara" right out of her best friend's front yard.
"Kara" is bright and level-headed. She was able to compartmentalize being raped and humiliated. "Kara" used what she learned about her assailant in the brief time she was captured. Not only escaping but using the information she learned to help stop "Richard" from ever doing this to anyone else.
"The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story" was a messed up story. Messed up in what she had to go through. But on the flip side, it also shows how resilient this young teenager was. Teenagers might not make the best decisions when it comes to relationships at times but they are still highly intelligent and can overcome a lot. Especially "Kara" in what should have been a debilitating situation.
When it comes to the actual film I was tricked again. I thought this was a normal film but it turned out to be a lifetime film. Which I won't completely rip lifetime. The series "You" originated there. But this isn't that.
I'll give this some bail because it depicts a true story. Lifetime shouldn't have been the one to do it though. Instead of Hulu purchasing this from Lifetime, HBO, or one of the bigger streamers should have done this.
The transitions were bad and the acting wasn't any better. I wanted to hate the story but I had to keep saying to myself it was not the story it was the acting depicting the story.
I hate that Cara Buono gets pigeonholed into always playing the stereotypical mother. It's so annoying. Side note why were the police so messed up? They seemed to not give a rat's ass about "Kara". I loved the scene when " Kara" gave it to "Sheriff Dale Stevens" played by John B. Lowe who was Luke warm to "Debra" when she was making her initial plea for help.
Overall I was a little irritated with "Debra" and frustrated by "Kara" for how she acted after the whole ordeal. But who am I to say how to process this type of situation? I will say I feel for "Kara's" parents as well. That's a hard situation to be in. You just want to know everything and want to keep your child forever in your pocket. They might not understand that. "Kara" would just have to hate me because I wouldn't have let her out of my sight.
Anyway the film story was five mor fires. I'm glad it got out and was told to the public. I just wish a bigger streamer did it. "Kara" deserved it. Only when it comes to the film aspect, I have to give it two mor fires 🔥🔥.
#CosmoandtheMovieWithin #CosmoMovieBlog #CosmoLanier #TheGirlWhoEscapedTheKaraRobinsonStory.
- Mr-Topshotta
- Sep 8, 2023
- Permalink
A Painful retread of Believe Me....
- sbaum-95397
- Mar 17, 2024
- Permalink
Finally a 2023 Lifetime Movie worthy of a 10
Wow! This movie was amazing. Katie Douglas did a top notch job as Kara R. The actors playing Sgt. Jennings, Lt. Rowland, and Sheriff Price were also star worthy.
I noticed one reviewer who wished to see more of the trauma the girl suffered- my gosh, there is already plenty of that on other movies.
Another reviewer says it was sugar coated.
A little research reveals that this movie wasn't just inspired by actual events, it stuck to the facts of the real life abduction. Kara Robinson (now Chamberlain) says that she acted and reacted exactly as Katie portrayed.
I loved the part that demonstrated that Kara (Katie) was the adult and her mother was the child.
A great movie with some great performances. The big takeaway from the movie is that, in life, not everyone reacts to trauma the same- and we are in error if we try to pigeonhole each person's responses as needing to be the same.
I noticed one reviewer who wished to see more of the trauma the girl suffered- my gosh, there is already plenty of that on other movies.
Another reviewer says it was sugar coated.
A little research reveals that this movie wasn't just inspired by actual events, it stuck to the facts of the real life abduction. Kara Robinson (now Chamberlain) says that she acted and reacted exactly as Katie portrayed.
I loved the part that demonstrated that Kara (Katie) was the adult and her mother was the child.
A great movie with some great performances. The big takeaway from the movie is that, in life, not everyone reacts to trauma the same- and we are in error if we try to pigeonhole each person's responses as needing to be the same.
- hoops-53436
- Aug 22, 2023
- Permalink
Only a Lifetime movie could be this bad!
This was the worst movie I have ever seen. The acting was horrible especially from the girl who played Kara. I seriously wanted to shut it off after 20 minutes but had to watch just to see how horrible it truly was! I know this is based on a true story and if you truly want to know about it just Google it. Lifetime movies are horrible! I wish I could have given it zero stars, I know everybody sees things differently but I know there has to be people out there with the same opinion of this movie as me. Well I certainly won't be recommending this to anyone. I don't normally review the movies that I watch but I seriously had to review this one even if it just saves one person from watching it!
- nikkistewart1969
- Apr 25, 2024
- Permalink
One of the best Lifetime movies!
I didn't know anything about the story and am very glad they didn't show the horrific things that happened to her. I liked them showing her thoughts and scenarios "Survive, escape, bang". "Get justice, justice."
I am a Lifetime Movie lover, just because they are great to be in the background while doing something else. This one had me watching.
This girl survived an unknown serial killer, memorizing key information, and ended it. The young actress did an amazing job with the "distant stare" that was just perfect. I look forward to seeing her in many more shows!
33 more characters. Now it is met!
This girl survived an unknown serial killer, memorizing key information, and ended it. The young actress did an amazing job with the "distant stare" that was just perfect. I look forward to seeing her in many more shows!
33 more characters. Now it is met!
- spyderalley
- Mar 3, 2023
- Permalink
The best movie on the subject
- muzikjuliya
- Feb 26, 2023
- Permalink