Disconnect 2013

Drama

Thriller

Box Office

$3.4M

Runtime

115 min

Language

English

Directed by

Henry Alex Rubin

Made by

LD Entertainment

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Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Disconnect (2013). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

The film delves into the troubling effects of modern communication technology through the intertwined lives of three distinct stories that highlight its darker aspects.

The narrative begins with Nina, an up-and-coming reporter, who gains notoriety following her interview with Kyle, an underage stripper in a web chatroom. Kyle operates in a virtual landscape alongside other strippers, all under the supervision of his boss, Harvey. However, the situation complicates when the FBI pressures Nina to reveal Kyle’s location to shut down the illegal site. Despite having initially paid Kyle for contact, which raises legal issues, Nina finds herself torn between her ethical obligations and her desire to protect Kyle from the exploitative environment. As their relationship deepens, Kyle provides her with his address, but just as Nina gets close, Harvey is alerted, prompting an escape from the web house. Nina’s attempts to rescue Kyle lead her to a motel, where she pleads with him to leave the grim reality behind. Initially, Kyle shares her hope for a better future, but as Nina hesitates to assure him safety, he hesitates to trust her, resulting in an altercation with Harvey, who violently strikes Nina. Ultimately, the entire group of strippers leaves in despair.

Meanwhile, another story unfolds featuring two boys, Jason and his friend Frye, who decide to impersonate a girl named “Jessica Rhony” on Facebook Messenger. Their deceit leads a teenager named Ben, the son of Rich, a legal counsel at Nina’s workplace, to share an explicit photo of himself. The boys circulate this image around their school, which results in devastating consequences for Ben, who becomes a target of cyberbullying and ultimately attempts suicide, landing him in a coma. Rich, desperate to uncover the truth, starts engaging with “Jessica” online. In a shocking twist, Jason visits Ben in the hospital, where he deceitfully introduces himself as “Mike,” leading to an eventual confrontation between Rich and Jason’s real father, Mike, who learns of his son’s betrayal and chooses to erase incriminating evidence. The tension escalates when Rich discovers that Jason is behind the “Jessica” facade, resulting in a violent confrontation.

In yet another storyline, Cindy and Derek, a couple grappling with the loss of their child, find themselves victimized by identity theft. They hire private investigator Mike, who happens to be Jason’s father, to track down the perpetrator. As the investigation unfolds, it is revealed that Cindy had been sharing her grief in a support group online, leading them to suspect Stephen Schumacher. The couple, in their obsessive quest for justice, stalk Schumacher, ultimately resulting in a confrontation. Just as Derek confronts Stephen at his home, Mike reveals that Schumacher is also a victim of the same thief, intensifying the complexity of their pursuit. The situation escalates when Derek, leveraging his skills as a former Marine, disarms Schumacher, while Cindy finds a way to connect with him, sharing their mutual losses.

As all three narratives unfold, the film concludes without neatly resolved outcomes. Instead, it emphasizes a powerful theme: the characters embark on journeys that push them closer to their loved ones, highlighting the importance of reconnection in a world increasingly defined by disconnection. Each character experiences growth, reshaping their relationships in light of their struggles, leaving viewers with a thought-provoking reflection on the ramifications of modern technology in personal lives.

Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Disconnect (2013) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Nina's Successful Interview

Up-and-coming reporter Nina lands a significant interview with Kyle, an underage stripper working in a video chat-room. This breakthrough offers her a chance to expose the darker side of modern communication, but it comes with unforeseen legal and ethical dilemmas.

The FBI's Inquiry

As Nina digs deeper into Kyle's situation, the FBI pressures her to reveal his address to shut down the illegal website. Nina finds herself torn between journalistic integrity and the safety of Kyle, emphasizing the moral complexities of her choices.

Kyle's Trust and Dilemma

Despite the escalating pressure, Nina wishes to save Kyle from his current life. However, as she hesitates to offer him the security he needs, Kyle's trust in her begins to waver, showcasing the fragility of their relationship.

The Escape

After Nina manages to coax Kyle into revealing the address, Harvey, the boss of the chat-room strippers, gets wind of the situation and warns his crew. In a panic, they all flee the house, leaving Nina feeling desperate and frustrated.

Motel

Confrontation at the Motel

Nina tracks down the fleeing group to a motel, where she confronts Kyle about leaving with her. Their argument escalates, and Harvey intervenes, leading to a physical altercation that highlights the dire stakes of their predicament.

Motel

Jason and Frye's Prank

Meanwhile, teenagers Jason and Frye create a fake identity on social media to manipulate Ben into sending a lewd photo. This ignites a tragic chain of events spilling into the lives of their victims and revealing the harsh realities of cyberbullying.

The Viral Photo

The damaging photo spreads quickly among Ben's classmates, thrusting him into a pit of embarrassment. The fallout from the cyberbullying becomes unbearable for Ben, leading him to a devastating attempt on his own life.

Rich's Investigation

Ben's father, Rich, begins a frantic search for answers on social media after discovering what happened to his son. As he pretends to be 'Jessica,' he unknowingly becomes entangled in Jason's deceptive web.

The Hospital Encounter

Jason visits Ben in the hospital under a false identity. He comes face-to-face with Rich, but the truth about the deception looms over him, complicating their interaction and adding to the tension in the narrative.

Hospital

Rich Discovers the Truth

After piecing together the events, Rich confronts Jason's real father, Mike, in an explosive meeting. The revelation of Jason's involvement results in a physical confrontation that underscores the toxic aftermath of online actions.

Mike's House

Cindy and Derek's Loss

Cindy and her husband Derek grapple with the emotional fallout of losing their child, compounded when their identities are stolen online. Their quest for resolution leads them to hire Mike, who takes on the case, intertwining their story with Jason's.

The Chase

Following a lead, Cindy and Derek stalk their suspected identity thief, Stephen Schumacher, hoping to uncover evidence. Their actions reveal their desperation, as they cross ethical lines in their pursuit of justice.

A Confrontation with Schumacher

The situation escalates when Derek confronts Schumacher at his home, only to find himself in a threatening standoff. However, as a former Marine, Derek manages to diffuse the situation and wrests control from Schumacher, showing his protective instincts.

Unraveling the Truth

As Mike reveals that Schumacher is also a victim of the identity thief, the narrative becomes more complex. This revelation highlights the commonality of suffering in the digital age, emphasizing the dangers lurking in online interactions.

Growth Through Disconnect

In the end, none of the stories tie up neatly, yet there's a sense of growth amongst the characters. Each individual learns the importance of connection within their lives, suggesting that, despite modern technology's detriments, there is still hope for reconnection.

Characters

Explore all characters from Disconnect (2013). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Nina (Paula Patton)

Nina is an ambitious journalist navigating the ethical dilemmas of modern media. Her initial drive to expose the truth becomes complicated as she grapples with the consequences her actions have on Kyle's life. Torn between her career ambitions and her emotional investment in Kyle, she embodies the conflict between personal morality and professional duty.

👩‍💻 Reporter 🧠 Ethical dilemmas

Kyle

Kyle is a young video chat-room stripper caught in a web of exploitation and manipulation. His character reflects the vulnerabilities of youth in the digital age, as he struggles between the allure of quick money and the desire for freedom. His relationship with Nina reveals his hope for a better future, despite the risks involved.

👦🏽 Youth 🕵️‍♂️ Exploitation

Rich (Jason Bateman)

Rich is a dedicated father whose life's mission becomes uncovering the truth behind his son's traumatic experience with cyberbullying. His character transitions from a passive observer to an active investigator, demonstrating the lengths a parent will go for their child's wellbeing. His emotional journey reveals the broader implications of technology on family dynamics.

👨‍👧‍👦 Father 💔 Concerned parent

Cindy

Cindy represents the emotional toll of loss, as she copes with the recent death of her child. Her character seeks connection and understanding in an online support community, highlighting the power of collective grief and the danger of perceived anonymity. Cindy's interactions reveal the fragile nature of trust in physical and digital spaces.

👩‍🍼 Grief 🤝 Support

Setting

Learn where and when Disconnect (2013) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

While no specific time period is mentioned, the film reflects contemporary society's issues with technology, particularly in the digital age. This timeframe captures the rise of social media, cyberbullying, and the profound effects on personal relationships and mental health that accompany the proliferation of communication technologies.

Location

Various locations, chat-room

The film takes place in various urban settings, where modern communication technology permeates daily life. Notably, the world of online chat-rooms serves as a backdrop, highlighting the anonymity and dangers of virtual interactions. These environments are depicted as both alluring and treacherous, encapsulating the dual nature of contemporary communication.

🏙️ City 💻 Technology

Themes

Discover the main themes in Disconnect (2013). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

📱

Cyberbullying

The theme of cyberbullying is central to the narrative, focusing on the consequences of online harassment and the impacts it has on young individuals. Through the story of Ben, the film showcases the devastating effects that a seemingly harmless action, like sending a private image, can have when shared without consent. This theme serves as a cautionary tale about the need for responsibility in digital communications.

💔

Loss and Grief

Another profound theme is loss and grief, illustrated through the experiences of Cindy and Derek, who navigate the aftermath of their child's death. Their journey emphasizes the struggle to maintain connections in the face of personal tragedy and identity theft, showcasing how grief can lead individuals to seek solace in online support groups—and sometimes, vulnerable situations.

🔗

Disconnection

The film poignantly explores the idea of disconnection, paradoxically highlighting how modern technology both connects and isolates people. Despite numerous interactions facilitated by digital means, the characters experience emotional distances that challenge their relationships. The ending signifies a hopeful return to deeper connections with loved ones, suggesting the need for authenticity in an increasingly virtual world.

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