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Parents' Guide to

@urFRENZ

By S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Intriguing but overheated drama examines online bullying.

Movie NR 2011 90 minutes
@urFRENZ Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 18+

Based on 1 parent review

Umar A.
Umar A. Parent
December 19, 2022
age 18+

I Am The Disaster Lackluster Average Bad One Of The Worst

James Maslow ("Big Time Rush" And "Wild Things: Foursome") Worst Actor Worst Performance Similar Dislike Unlike Don't Like Fast and Furious Rip-Off Bollywood Remake

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much consumerism
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 1 parent review

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?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (1 ):

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

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