Upamanyu Biswas
Lifetime’s ‘Date At Your Own Risk,’ also known as ‘Does He Belong to Anyone,’ tells the story of a lawyer named Eva who gets caught up in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with her ex-boyfriend Will. After learning about a private online forum where women share posts about shady men on dating apps, Eva’s life is upended when she realizes that a disturbing post about an unknown man could be pointing toward her ex. Subsequently, Eva must investigate the truth behind the matter and distinguish whether Will is hiding something sinister behind his normal facade. Meanwhile, the death of a local girl only adds to the increasing anxiety within the protagonist as she aches to get to the bottom of the mystery. Directed by Cat Hostick, the thriller film delves into themes of deception, betrayal, modern dating, accountability, and crime.
Date At Your Own Risk Highlights the Perils of Online Dating Culture
‘Date At Your Own Risk’ is a fictional narrative penned by Courtney Cilman. The movie chronicles the dark side of the online dating world and how it can lead to dangerous situations for people who are unprepared. It also serves as a cautionary tale of predatory behavior, especially directed towards women. While the events described in the movie follow a largely original route, the essence of the narrative can be found in real-life cases around the world. The disturbing behavior of the film’s antagonist epitomizes the murky side of the real world and incidents of stalking, sexual assault, and harassment, which are common occurrences. One such high-profile case is the alleged stalking of WNBA star Caitlin Clark by a 55-year Texas resident, Michael Lewis.
Social media platforms like Facebook are home to private groups like ‘Are We Dating The Same Guy?’ which promote discussion among women regarding the men they are dating. They can share posts about their prospective partner and learn from the group’s members if they dated the man in the past and, if so, what they are like. The film also delves into a similar concept via the ‘Does He Belong to Anyone’ chat forum. It is a way to safeguard the lives of women as they jump into the online dating world and meet up with strangers who may pose a threat to them. It is likely that these real-life sources played a pivotal role in the development of the script. However, for the most part, the events in the Lifetime movie are original and have their own twists and turns.
As the narrative progresses, it becomes evident that the emotional burden of knowing her ex makes it difficult for Eva to make a call on whether he is the main culprit or not. Often, in situations where people within close circles show signs of heinous behavior, it is tough to bring these actions to light. A 2021 research by the Pew Research Center discovered that around four in ten people within the country experience online harassment in one form or another, most of which are physical, mental, and sexual in nature. These growing patterns display the changes in contemporary society, especially with the intersection of the internet and the daily lives of common people. With people becoming dependent on technology for every facet of their lives, the chances of exploitation keep increasing, which is emphasized quite succinctly within the fictional context of the film.
Eva is a Fictional Lawyer With No Ties to Reality
Eva in ‘Date At Your Own Risk’ is a fictional character conceived by the film’s scriptwriter, Courtney Cilman. She plays a pivotal role in Brooke Adam’s investigation, one of the central mysteries of the narrative. Although she works as a lawyer, Eva gets drawn into a complex web of deceit after discovering that her ex-boyfriend may be dangerous. Subsequently, she has to figure out the real truth before more harm comes to other innocent women. The character provides a bird’s eye view into the tragic reality faced by countless victims of stalkers and abusers. As the narrative progresses, Eva becomes increasingly agitated and paranoid that her ex-boyfriend may be the killer on the loose, which wreaks havoc on her psyche. As such, the character is designed to help the audience understand the harrowing ordeal from a more personal point of view.
While she is subjected to emotional and mental torment, Eva also shows signs of resilience and perseverance, which are priceless qualities when battling against predatory behavior. She showcases her nobility and valiant spirit in numerous scenes despite the fact that it could put her life in danger. She does her best to ensure that other helpless women do not fall prey to similar crimes. As such, she is a shining example of a responsible citizen, making the right calls even in terrifying situations. Despite her narrative prominence, she remains a fictional lawyer with no connections to real-life figures.
Read More: Lifetime’s Lethal Desire: Filming Locations and Cast Details
