Dangerous Games
In “Dangerous Games,” three teenagers step into what seems like a harmless online playground – only to uncover a hidden world of manipulation, exploitation, and extremism. As their virtual adventures turn into a fight for safety and justice, they transform from gamers into activists, demanding accountability and protection for children in the digital age.
Year
2025
Length
90 min
Director
Share
Synopsis
The metaverse has become a global playground for millions of children and teenagers. But behind the avatars lies a world of hidden dangers. Dangerous Games follows the three young gamers Alex, Janae, and Katie who, after meeting online, stumble into the disturbing reality of predators and extremist groups operating in virtual spaces like Roblox and Minecraft.
When Katie is targeted by “Doc,” a powerful developer within Roblox, their digital friendship circle uncovers a shocking network of grooming, abuse, and extremist propaganda thriving largely unchecked. Their story takes a terrifying turn when “Doc” abducts a young gamer, making clear just how high the stakes are.
Alongside the teens’ journey, experts in psychology, law enforcement, and digital policy reveal how unregulated virtual platforms endanger children, and why tech companies must be held accountable.
Dangerous Games exposes the dark corners of online gaming worlds while asking a critical question: how do we ensure a safer digital future before it’s too late?
A film by
Ann Shin
Erica Leendertse
D. Cole
Margarita Dreiling
Concept
Erica Leendertse
Directors
Ann Shin
Margarita Dreiling
Associate Director
Susan Schafer
Written by
D.Cole
Erica Leendertse
Line Producers
Ferdinand Freising
Nicole McKechnie
Camera
James Klopko
Chris Romeike
Lulu Wei
Jonny Müller-Goldenstedt
Chief Lighting Technician
Hussien Shalaan
Sound
Alexandre Gougeon
Stuart Peck
Simon Gordon
Brendan Michie
Adam White
Matt Beckett
Joel Tower
Guy Dowsett
Jonas Spriestersbach
Editors
Steve Taylor
Duncan Buchanan
Carole Larsen
Alexander Steyer
Any Peikert
Music
Menalon (Lodewijk Vos and Joseph Murray)
Aulodion (Nils Kacirek)
Sonoton
Archive Producers
Joel Elliot
Chrissy Wilker
Researcher
Fiona Isaacson
Sound Mix
Pierre Brand
Sascha Prangen
Formosa Group
Colorists
Biggi Klier
Michael Dobroski
Animation Producer
Yamen Selim
Animation Coordinator
Islam Abdelmoniem
3D Artists
Abdulrahman Yakout
Mohamed Shalaan
Mazen Mansour
Bruno Brasil
Type Design
Ahmed Hassan
Motion Designer
Karem Elaqabawy
Legal Counsel
Eva Seiderer
Danny Webber, Hall Webber LLC
Post-production
Alexander Steyer
Picture Shop
Production Manager
Marcel Rechten, beetz brothers
Aidan Denison, TVO
Katharina Krohmann, ZDF/Arte
Production Coordinators
Franziska Blohm
Mariam Bastani
Producers
Margarita Dreiling
D. Cole
Commissioning Editor
Susanne Mertens, ZDF/Arte
Editor-in-Chief
Jean-Christoph Caron, ZDF/Arte
Executive Producer
Reinhardt Beetz
Ann Shin
Alexandra Roberts
Jane Jankovic
Sales & distribution
- Press kit
- Press photos