Fallen Angel

Jennifer Phillips struggles to communicate with her mother after the death of her father and the arrival of her mother's new boyfriend, Frank Dawson, who was her father's coworker. The tense family dynamic colors her early choices and makes her susceptible to later manipulations.

Howard Nichols begins contacting Jennifer after placing ads for the softball team at a video arcade, launching secret conversations. He flatters her, photographs her, and begins grooming her by suggesting she could be a movie star. He also showers her with gifts like ice cream, a teddy bear, and a puppy.

Dennis, the film director, sees Jennifer as the perfect subject and arranges for her to come to the house where filming happens. Howard tries to keep her for himself and resists, but Dennis threatens to tip off the authorities and frame Howard if needed. Howard eventually backs off, though his influence over the shoot remains.

Jennifer is paired with a boy named David, and they begin posing for a series of mostly innocent shots, including kissing and cuddling. The mood shifts, but at this stage the activity still hides the darker intentions behind the operation.

During the lake shoot, Howard pressures them to pose in more provocative ways. David cooperates, while Jennifer refuses to go further, clinging to her boundaries.

Howard uses manipulative tactics to coerce Jennifer into the shot, including threats to return her dog Fred to the pound and giving her a spiked beverage to calm her nerves. Overwhelmed by fear, Jennifer eventually agrees to go along with the shoot.

Frank spots Jennifer in a controversial magazine advertisement and informs Sherry. Jennifer initially denies involvement when confronted at home, but the pressure drives her to run away.

Howard offers Jennifer a place to stay and she moves into an apartment with three young male stars. The living arrangement reinforces the power dynamic and keeps her under Howard's control.

Sherry finds a goodbye letter in Jennifer's belongings, revealing that Jennifer had been the girl in the magazine ad. The revelation shatters the family and points to the urgent need to seek help.

Howard feigns surprise at Jennifer's disappearance when she goes missing from the ballgame at the rec center. The act underscores his manipulation of the situation while the family searches for her.

Sherry uses a number Howard had given as his answering service to locate his address and provide it to the police. This move catalyzes law enforcement action against Howard.

Howard is arrested and the investigation moves forward. Jennifer testifies in court, supported by Sherry and Frank, sharing her account of the exploitation and helping to secure a conviction.