Traffik  ★★½

THE 2018 thriller Traffik with ends with some terrible statistics on sex trafficking, stating nearly two million women are currently being exploited in the United States alone.

While the film has good intentions, there are plenty more that tackle the same subject with more skill and emotion.

In fact the issue comes across as a plot device largely incidental to the story of two couples terrorised by a bunch of bikies while on a weekend getaway in the California mountains.

The main character, Brea (Paula Patton) is a journalist for the Sacramento Post but some of her actions later in the film suggest she isn’t as smart as you would expect her to be.

Brea and boyfriend John (Omar Epps) have a couple of encounters with bikies at a petrol station on their way. After settling in for the night they are unexpectedly joined by another couple, Darren and Malia, and discover a phone has been left in Brea’s bag.

The bikies arrive wanting the phone and things get difficult and violent very quickly. However, through the usual contrivances and plot holes, Brea and others fight back in ways that suggest the bikies are even more stupid.

It’s competently made and acted, but you never believe that you are watching anything other than a series of unlikely actions and events.