In this episode, I cover the movie Hard Candy (2005) with my guest Melanie from Screen queen reviews. This is a horror/psychological thriller that forces us to confront the blurred lines between justice, vengeance, and manipulation. Through the cat-and-mouse game between Hayley and Jeff, we explore the film’s raw depiction of sexual predation, the illusion of control, and the disturbing power dynamics rooted in grooming.

But the horror doesn’t stop on screen.

I draw unsettling parallels between the film’s narrative and the modern digital landscape—where platforms like Roblox, designed for children, have become breeding grounds for predators hiding behind avatars.

Trigger Warning: Discussions include grooming, sexual exploitation, and abuse.

Screen Queen Reviews:

https://www.instagram.com/screenqueenreviews?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

https://www.youtube.com/@screenqueenreviews

Sources:

https://www.kqed.org/news/12027891/roblox-discord-fail-stop-sexual-predators-exploiting-kids-lawsuit-alleges

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0424136/

www.commonsense.org/

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/quiz/

https://beinternetawesome.withgoogle.com/en_us/interland/