Inspired by true events and the book, Sex Trafficking: Inside the Business of Modern Slavery by Siddharth Kara, Trafficked also written by Siddharth Kara, stars Ashley Judd and new to you leads, Jessica Obilom, Kelly Washington, and Alpa Banker. The film, which is rated R, premiered at the United Nations and had a limited release last weekend and is heading to more theaters today.

Starring Golden Globe nominee Ashley Judd, Academy Award nominee Anne Archer, Elisabeth Röhm, Sean Patrick Flanery, and Patrick Duffy, TRAFFICKED explores the complex global crisis of human trafficking and is ultimately a story of the strength of the human spirit, the empowerment of women, and the indestructible will to be free.

Inspired by the harrowing stories of real women and girls profiled in the award-winning book Sex Trafficking: Inside the Business of Modern Slavery by Harvard Professor and anti-slavery activist, Siddharth Kara, TRAFFICKED follows three young women from the United States, Nigeria, and India who are exploited as sex slaves yet ultimately reclaim their dignity and freedom.

If you’ve read Ashley’s memoir, All That is Bitter & Sweet, Ashley Judd in this movie is exactly what you’d expect and hope for. Ashley does an immense amount of work to spread awareness for and help the victims of human trafficking so to see her use her art space, her platform in this way, choosing roles that matter beyond simple entertainment, makes me so happy.

Trafficked takes us to Nigeria, India, and ultimately, America, as we follow three very different women who are kidnapped for sex slavery in a Texas brothel. This movie is not for the faint hearted. If you want to see the cruel realities of the human trafficking world and all that comes with it, this is what you are going to get. Trafficked is fearless in its approach to share the evil in both men and women that enables these horrors and keeps the hidden in plain sight, red light district society thriving.

It’s unconscionable that by so many in this world, women are only seen as sex objects and the world of human trafficking takes that mindset to an entirely other level, kidnapping women to have their way with them in one sided sexual transactions – “business deals.” These people make money off rape and it’s not just the perverted men you’d expect. Some women are compliant in these deals as well and Ashley Judd’s supporting role is a great representation of that wolf in sheep’s clothing. Judd gives a powerful performance in this film as do all of the men and women. Trafficked is violent and heartbreaking, captivating and unforgettable with its tales of this brutal reality. These women’s stories will take your breath away.

Millions of women have been and are beaten, disfigured, drugged, and murdered when they try to run, when they don’t comply, when they stand up for the right to consent, to their own bodies. And let’s not forget the mental manipulation and abuse. Through the eyes of the women that we follow in this film, viewers get to witness all of the above.

All of this said, Trafficked may not stand out from other movies like it. If you’ve seen other movies on this subject matter, there is nothing new here and this movie may come across as generic. However, the message here is still important and worthy of being watched to continue the conversation and keep the voices of these women who are being exploited in the spotlight. In this way, Trafficked is a must watch as an educational tool in spreading awareness about human trafficking.

Trafficked is in theaters now. To join the fight against human trafficking, visit the Polaris Project.