Jodie Sweetin stars in the gripping new Lifetime movie “Dateless to Dangerous: My Son’s Secret Life,” which premieres on Saturday, June 21, at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT. The film is directed by Degrassi alum and longtime Degrassi director Stefan Brogren. It addresses the unsettling topics of incel culture and investigates just how internet interaction influences young people’s behaviors. In this affecting drama, Sweetin stars as Noelle, a recently divorced single mom who grows alarmed at the behavior of her son Miles, a teen.
Noelle is up to the challenges that come with raising her son. He fights against the grimmer sides of the internet. It’s a tough road ahead for Miles, portrayed by Alexander Elliot. It begins when he suffers humiliation at school following an ill-fated bid for love. Rather than seek solace with his family, Miles retreats into the world of video games. There, faceless players that go to destroy him attack him with messages telling him, “There’s a lot of guys like you,” and that he is “not special.”
As Miles’ world gets smaller, his descent takes a more radical turn. As a result, he becomes sullen and abusive toward Noelle, his twin sister Haley, played by Nikki Roumel, and his classmates. The movie does an effective job at showing the emotional toll this tragic situation has taken on their family. As Noelle tries to connect with her son, his pain causes him to act out in self-destructive ways. In one intense moment, Miles expresses his frustration with an outburst:
“You take and you take — just like every other female!” – Miles
This quote perfectly summarizes the existential crisis Miles goes through as he deals with the mistrust, rejection, and angry emotions. It allows viewers to witness how his character changes throughout the film. It points to the psychological impact of online communities that can instead encourage extremist ideologies.
“Dateless to Dangerous” is more than an engaging narrative. It’s an acid test and urgent call to action for its audience. The film does a great job of illustrating the positive impact mental health awareness can have on teens and young adults. Following the presentation, audiences will be introduced to helpful resources. That’s why the Jed Foundation is one of the leading organizations dedicated to preventing suicide among this vulnerable demographic. The movie helps to ground the new 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline, offering life-saving support for anyone who needs help right now.
Noelle is trying to understand her son’s alarming behavior far too late. This emphasizes the broader societal problems connected to incel culture and the disturbing results of those realities. In dealing with her son’s alienation and rage, Noelle represents the struggles of parents all over the world right now. Her character is a lioness defending Miles at all costs. That underscores the need for parents and children to engage in open dialogue about online experiences and mental well-being.
Stefan Brogren’s direction brings a nuanced perspective to these sensitive subjects, ensuring they are handled with care while remaining engaging for the audience. The blend of family drama with social commentary creates a compelling narrative that resonates with current issues facing youth today.
