Is it possible to discuss this movie rationally?

I saw this after all the online posts and discussions, where this became a line in the sand about what side of today's politics you stand.

I thought the film was mostly good with many issues, looking at it objectively. First, of course this is a nightmare, what happens to the two children the story is framed around. What parent would not agree? It is our worst fear, no matter what kind of politicians you vote for.

The real person this character is meant to portray has more of a complicated history than the angelic hero played by Jim C. And obviously like all "based on real events" stories, this has been embellished and polished - if not mostly fabricated.

Putting that aside, most of this plays like a conventional thriller and action movie, where the latter parts became increasingly unbelievable.

Putting your tribal allegiance aside, this movie was better than its detractors claim, but far from being the amazing film which fans say it is.

It has some manipulation of emotions, of course this is the most despicable thing that can be done to children.

I don't think abuse and trafficking of children as shown in this is more common than family and friends being the perpetrators. It does sensationalize this issue to the point where you'd think the majority of kids victimized are sold into networks like this. Maybe real crime statistics would correct me but the higher volume of abuse happens in trusted circles like family, neighbors, and yes church.

This movie became a phenomenon that became about more that its actual content so it is very difficult to have rational critiques of it without getting ad hominem attacked and getting sidetracked into which president you think is terrible.

I'd give this movie a 6/10 based purely on the movie.