Some movies just stay with you. Not because they’re flashy or have a massive budget, but because they tap into a specific kind of darkness that feels uncomfortably real. I Am All Girls is exactly that. It landed on Netflix a few years ago and, honestly, it didn't just disappear into the algorithm like most weekend releases. People are still talking about it. Why? Because while it’s a "thriller," it’s built on the bones of South Africa’s very real, very painful history with human trafficking.
It’s gritty. It’s bleak.
If you’re looking for a feel-good popcorn flick, keep scrolling. This isn't it. But if you want to understand how a film can use the "vigilante" trope to shine a light on systemic corruption that most governments would rather ignore, then we need to talk about what I Am All Girls actually gets right—and where it takes its creative liberties.
The Real-Life Inspiration Behind the Plot
The movie centers on a detective and a serial killer who end up on the same side. They’re both hunting a massive child sex trafficking ring. But here’s the kicker: the story is "chillingly" inspired by true events from the 1980s.
Specifically, it draws from the case of Gert van Rooyen.
For those who don't know the South African true crime scene, Van Rooyen was a pedophile and serial killer who, along with his partner Joey Haarhoff, kidnapped at least six young girls between 1988 and 1989. They were never found. When the police finally closed in, Van Rooyen killed Haarhoff and then himself. The secrets died with them. Or did they? The film plays with the popular South African conspiracy theory that Van Rooyen wasn't acting alone but was part of a larger network involving high-ranking apartheid-era officials.
It’s a heavy foundation for a movie.
By grounding the narrative in the Van Rooyen era, the director, Donovan Marsh, manages to connect the trauma of the past with the ongoing crisis of trafficking in modern South Africa. It’s not just a "cop chasing bad guys" story. It’s a "society trying to excise a tumor" story.
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Atmosphere Over Action
Most Hollywood thrillers would have filled the runtime with car chases and explosions. I Am All Girls goes the opposite way. It’s slow. The cinematography is desaturated, almost grey, reflecting the mood of a country still grappling with its shadows.
Hlubi Mboya plays Jodie Snyman, the detective. She’s exhausted. You can see it in the way she holds her shoulders. Erica Wessels plays the "killer" role with a haunting, quiet intensity. The chemistry between them isn't romantic or even friendly; it’s a desperate, shared recognition of trauma.
The film uses silence effectively.
Sometimes, the most horrific things aren't shown on screen but are implied through a look or a piece of evidence left on a table. This restraint makes the moments of violence feel much more impactful. They aren't stylized. They're ugly.
Why the Vigilante Angle Works Here
Vigilante movies are usually about power. Think John Wick or Taken. They're power fantasies where one man solves a problem through sheer force. I Am All Girls flips this. It’s a "justice" fantasy born out of complete powerlessness.
In the film, the legal system isn't just slow; it’s complicit.
When you have a system where the people meant to protect children are the ones selling them, the only logical conclusion for a character is to step outside the law. It’s a cynical viewpoint, but in the context of South African history, it's a viewpoint many people find relatable. The movie asks: What do you do when the "good guys" don't exist?
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Addressing the Critics: Is It Too Dark?
Some critics argued the movie was "misery porn." They felt it lingered too much on the hopelessness of the situation.
I see it differently.
If you sanitize trafficking, you're doing a disservice to the victims. The film is uncomfortable because the subject matter is uncomfortable. However, there is a valid critique regarding the pacing. The middle act drags a bit, and some of the secondary characters feel like one-dimensional villains. They’re "evil" because the plot needs them to be, rather than having complex motivations.
But honestly? Does a child trafficker need a complex motivation for us to want to see them caught? Probably not.
Technical Execution and Local Flavor
One of the best things about the rise of international streaming is seeing local stories told by local people. This isn't a Hollywood director's "take" on Johannesburg. It’s a South African production through and through.
- The Language: The mix of English and Afrikaans feels natural, capturing the linguistic melting pot of the region.
- The Settings: From the sterile police stations to the decaying industrial areas, the locations feel lived-in and authentic.
- The Music: The score is minimal, which helps maintain the tension without telling the audience exactly how to feel at every second.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Ending
Without spoiling the specifics, many viewers found the ending "unsatisfying" because it didn't wrap everything up in a neat little bow.
That’s exactly the point.
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Trafficking doesn't end. You don't "defeat" a global criminal enterprise by catching one or two guys. The ending is meant to feel like a pyrrhic victory. The characters have survived, and some justice has been served, but the weight of what they’ve lost—and what still exists in the world—remains. It’s a realistic, albeit depressing, conclusion.
Actionable Insights for Viewers and Creators
If you’re a fan of the genre or a filmmaker looking at how to handle sensitive topics, there are a few takeaways from I Am All Girls.
For Viewers:
Go in with the right mindset. This is a heavy watch. If you’re triggered by themes of child abuse or systemic corruption, maybe skip this one. But if you want a film that respects its audience's intelligence and doesn't shy away from difficult truths, it’s worth the two hours. Use it as a jumping-off point to learn more about organizations like A21 or The Salvation Army, who do real work on the ground to combat trafficking in South Africa.
For Creators:
Notice how the film uses a "real" historical anchor to give a fictional story weight. You don't need to invent a monster when history provides them. Also, pay attention to the lighting. You can tell a whole story just by how much shadow you leave in a room.
For the Curious:
Research the Van Rooyen case. It’s a rabbit hole. Seeing the real-life parallels will make the movie ten times more terrifying because you realize the "fiction" isn't as far-fetched as you’d hope.
Ultimately, I Am All Girls isn't a perfect movie, but it is an important one. It refuses to look away. In a world of sanitized entertainment, there’s something brave about a film that forces you to sit with the darkness for a while.
Next Steps for Deepening Your Understanding:
- Watch with Context: If you haven't seen it yet, watch it on Netflix but keep a tab open for the history of the "National Party" and the 1980s in South Africa. It changes how you view the "old guard" characters in the film.
- Comparative Viewing: Compare this to Wind River or Sicario. Notice how different cultures handle the theme of "unsolvable" systemic crime.
- Support Real Change: Look up the Missing Children South Africa organization. Movies raise awareness, but these groups do the actual heavy lifting.
The film serves as a reminder that while we can't change the past, acknowledging its scars is the only way to stop the same patterns from repeating.