Parents' Guide to Profile

Chillingly terrifying, Amy's gradual induction into the terrorist organization she's trying to infiltrate is absolutely unforgettable. For anyone -- especialy teens -- who think they're in control online, it's a warning that even when all of your wits are about you and your critical mind is on overdrive, emotions can be overpowering. Bilel brags about kills and his role in expanding his group's territory, justifying his actions through his faith and his belief that he's righting wrongs. At the same time, he shows a softer and more playful side to Amy (as Melody) and shares stories of racist slights and family loss that help her (and viewers) see his humanity.

Director Timur Bekmambetov employs the screenlife format previously used in the horror film Unfriended and thriller Searching, telling the movie's whole story through one character's computer screen. Spending nearly two hours staring at a laptop screen may feel a bit exhuasting if you're Zoomed out. But the format lends itself to terror: Bekmambetov plays with viewers' anxieties around how easy it can be to slip up when we communicate through cameras on computers. Viewers may well wring their hands when "Melody" Skypes with Bilel while simultaneously carrying on real-life activities, like texting with her actual boyfriend, sending photos back and forth with friends, and taking calls from colleagues. Will she make a mistake? Will he see her screen? Knowing that this dangerous digital cat-and-mouse game actually happened magnifies audiences' reactions. And as more clues start making you wonder just who's clicking through Amy's files, terror may strike your heart: Is she safe? The real journalist Amy is based on put herself into harm's way to try to help teen girls, and the lessons learned from her investigation will hopefully be useful in avoiding radical online predators of any stripe.