Shubhabrata Dutta
Helmed by Paula Elle, Lifetime’s ‘Girl Taken’ is an abduction thriller movie that shows how emotional vulnerability can sometimes make a person physically vulnerable as well. The story follows a young girl named Rose Morell, who has been looking for a father figure ever since her father died a couple of years ago in an accident. Her relationship with her mother, Anita, is also strained, something that makes the former desperate for attention, especially after her breakup. Her pain is noticed by a man named Perry, who wants to “help” Rose. Once the opportunity arrives, he offers his hand, which soon takes the form of a shackle that binds Rose seemingly forever. While she fights to survive and figure out a way to escape, Anita fights to find her daughter. Gripping visuals have been incorporated in ‘Girl Taken’ to highlight the aesthetic, underscoring the narrative’s chilling nature.
Where Was Girl Taken Filmed?
‘Girl Taken’ is reportedly filmed in Kelowna and North Vancouver, in British Columbia. Principal photography took place in the month of November 2024. In conversation with Pop Wire, actor Eric Hicks, who plays Perry, stated how the cast and crew worked hard together as team. “I put a lot of work into it, and so did everyone else. We came up with something a little unique, our own unique version on this type of story that’s worth actually watching and checking out,” he said.
Kelowna, British Columbia
The city of Kelowna, located in the Okanagan Valley in southern British Columbia, became the filming base for the crew. Nestled among pine forests, vineyards, and the Okanagan Lake, the gorgeous city, with its mesmerizing mix of urban architecture and natural landscapes, almost becomes a secondary character in the movie, changing its avatars as Anita searches for Rose. Kelowna is known primarily for its vineyards and over 40 wineries, and has achieved international recognition for its wines. Some of the most renowned wineries and vineyards there are CedarCreek Estate Winery, Priest Creek Family Estate Winery, Tantalus Vineyards, and Black Swift Vineyards. Popular tourist spots in the city include Prospera Place, Elks Stadium, Kettle Valley Railway, and Big White Ski Resort. Some other films and shows that have used Kelowna as the backdrop are ‘Million Dollar Secret,’ ‘Raise a Glass to Love,’ and ‘The Bear Lake Murders.’
North Vancouver, British Columbia
The crew reportedly accessed the facilities of North Shore Studios, located at 555 Brooksbank Avenue in North Vancouver, to capture several indoor scenes, possibly including those showing Rose’s confinement. It is one of the most sought-after studios in Greater Vancouver and offers eight large stages ranging from 11,000 sq. ft to 20,000 sq. ft. and 120,000 sq. ft of production office space, and is fully equipped with green screens and customizable sets.
Girl Taken Cast Details
The cast of ‘Girl Taken’ is led by the trio of Kennedy Rowe, Erica Durance, and Eric Hicks. Kennedy is also a Marine Conservationist and strives to protect marine life. Erica grew up on a turkey farm in Three Hills, Alberta. After completing high school, she moved to Vancouver to enroll at the Yaletown Actors Lab. Eric is a Saskatchewan native and promotes sports, reading, meditation, and healthy eating. ‘Girl Taken’ is their first movie together.
Kennedy Rowe as Rose Morell
Kennedy Rowe plays Rose Morell, the girl who gets kidnapped, in ‘Girl Taken.’ She made her debut in 2023 as Sophia Bliss in Lifetime’s ‘Catfish Murder.’ Her other notable performances on television include Young Alison in ‘With Love, Your Sweetly Salted,’ Sophie Arredondo in ‘Killing for Extra Credit,’ and Mallory in Lifetime’s ‘Don’t Scream, It’s Me!’ She can also be spotted in the short films ‘Lie Like Me,’ as Anna Ashdown, and ‘The Night of 1000 Eyes,’ as Cassie.
Erica Durance as Anita Morell
Erica Durance plays Anita Morell, Rose’s mother, in the film. Known for her TV performances as Lois Lane in ‘Smallville’ and Dr. Alex Reid in ‘Saving Hope,’ she also has a string of feature films to her credit. You can see her as Zenya Hernandez in ‘Girl in the Shed: The Kidnapping of Abby Hernandez,’ Trudy in ‘Painkillers,’ and Paris Waitress in ‘Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie.’ She is a familiar face in Lifetime movies as well, some of which are ‘The Enchanted Christmas Cake,’ ‘I Me Wed,’ and ‘Christmas Stars.’
Eric Hicks as Perry
Eric Hicks plays Perry, the kidnapper in ‘Girl Taken.’ He made his TV debut with the ABC Series ‘Quantico’ in 2015. From 2017 to 2020, he played Constable Derek Fox in ‘Cardinal.’ You can also see him as Detective Ken Tucker in ‘Bad Blood.’ As far as feature films are concerned, he can be spotted as Scott in ‘Enhanced’ and Geoff in ‘White Night.’ His other Lifetime projects are ‘The Perfect Wedding’ and ‘Killing Mommy.’ He also has many short films to his credit, including ‘Dating, Again?’ ‘March,’ ‘Resolve,’ and ‘Fearfully & Wonderfully Made.’
Read More: I Am Your Biggest Fan: Filming Locations and Cast Details
