Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Intriguing but overheated drama examines online bullying.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
@urFRENZ
What's the Story?
Teenage Catharine (Lily Holleman) is troubled -- she cuts herself, barely eats, and is stricken with malaise she can't shake -- but finds respite online at @urFRENZ, a social networking site. While logged on, she's chatted up by a guy named Brandon who's empathetic and attentive. Little does Catharine know that "Brandon" is really the mother of a former friend (Gayla Goehl) pretending to be someone she's not so she can find out whether Catharine is responsible for spreading rumors about her daughter, Madison (Najarra Townsend), a popular girl who's masking her own depression. A literal and figurative web as tangled as this can't go on without a tragic hitch.
Is It Any Good?
When it's not pounding you over the head with its off-putting scared-straight tactics and overwrought messages about online anonymity, @urFRENZ is actually compelling. With its ripped-from-the-headlines story and atmospheric cinematography, it provokes viewers to think about the darker side of online friendships and social networking (frightening parents along the way).
Ignore the over-acting and sometimes heavy-handed plot-pushing, and there's plenty of material here to spark (hopefully) meaningful conversations with teens (it's a little too macabre for younger audiences). How do we really know who we're talking to online? Are social networks a safe outlet for teens who can't share their feelings in person, or are they cloaks for bullies? The answer in real life is much more nuanced than what @urFRENZ offers, but it's an interesting watch nonetheless.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the issues the movie raises. Why is it so important to be safe and smart online? What are the dangers of social networks?
Parents, talk to your teens about cyberbullying. What roles can you play in helping to prevent it?
How does the movie handle the topic of teen depression? Does it seem authentic? Teens: How many kids do you know who are going through this right now?
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 23, 2011
- On DVD or streaming : December 4, 2012
- Cast : Gayla Goehl , Lily Holleman , Michael Robert Kelly
- Director : Jeff Phillips
- Studio : Brookwell McNamara Entertainment
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 90 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : July 2, 2022
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate