The Choking Game

The Choking Game, produced by Lifetime in 2014, is a provocative and heartbreaking drama that takes viewers on a chilling journey into a terrifying teen phenomenon. The movie explores a dangerous trend growing in popularity among impressionable young people, starkly highlighting the horrifying consequences both they and their families face. As a thought-provoking exploration of teenage peer pressure and misguided thrill-seeking, the film acts as a graphic and moving reflection of the real-world dangers kids are unwittingly exposed to.

The movie introduces the audience to Taryn, a highly intelligent and ambitious teenager, who finds herself in a new school where she starts battling to fit in among her new peers. Described as "straight-laced," she asserts herself acadically and is highly focused on gaining admission into a prestigious university. Little does she know that the new friends she's eager to impress harbor dangerous secrets that could steer Taryn down a path from which she might never find her way back.

Life transitions from being a simple quest for self-discovery to a twisted game of morbid fascination and peril as Taryn begins to explore the disturbing world of the choking game—a potentially fatal practice of intentional self-asphyxiation. The game, both provocative and dangerous, offers an adrenaline rush or brief high by cutting off oxygen to the brain. As viewers, we witness the innocence of youth getting lost and being replaced by a dangerous obsession, leading to a compulsive addiction that spells only danger.

While the students themselves see the game as an exhilarating escape from the pressures of life without the complications of drug usage, they fail to realize the serious, life-threatening consequences. The Choking Game serves as a deeply impactful narrative that uncovers the devastating effects that such thrill-seeking behavior can have on individuals, families, and communities alike.

Centrally, the film conveys a stark message about the communication gap between parents and their children regarding risky behaviors. Taryn's mother, a single parent, strives to raise her child while managing a successful career, oblivious to the dangers of this deadly game that her daughter confronts. Her nightmare begins to unfold when she discovers what her daughter and her friends have been playing. The story keenly emphasizes the much-needed dialogue and openness required between parents and children when it comes to discussing the vast expanse of real-life dangers children face growing up in this technologically advanced and information-ridden age.

The Choking Game broadens the narrative to consider the role of social media and the internet, key facilitators in the spread of this dangerous practice. It highlights how easily accessible information about such life-threatening practices are to vulnerable individuals longing for acceptance.

The film boasts compelling performances from actors Freya Tingley and Peri Gilpin, who play Taryn and her mother respectively. Both actresses skillfully portray the tragic progression of this story, bringing to life the terrifying reality that many families face. The suspenseful plot, combined with the moving performances, adds a chilling authenticity to this Lifetime movie.

Intense, thought-provoking and emotionally draining, The Choking Game is a sobering example of the dangers teens are exposed to in their pursuit of acceptance and the thrill of risky behavior. The film invites audiences to find a place for dialogue about such critical issues, hoping to promote widespread education and prevention.

While the film is intense and deeply disturbing, it is designed to grab audiences' attention to the risks associated with such dangerous teen trends. The Choking Game is more than just a film; it's a tragic tale and a lesson on the severe implications of silent, deadly games. It is a must-watch for parents, educators, and young adults, serving as a poignant reminder of the underlying dangers that lurk in the corners of any thriving school scene.