Priceless 2016

James, portrayed by Joel Smallbone, finds himself lost while driving, reminiscing about his past life as a joyful family man with a wife and daughter. However, tragedy struck when he lost his wife in an accident, spiraling him into a state of despair that led to his daughter being taken away by Child Protection Services due to his inability to maintain a job. Currently, James is engaged in an overnight truck delivery that promises a substantial payout—his sole stipulation being that he would not transport drugs.

As he drives through the night, exhaustion begins to take its toll, leading him to narrowly avoid a serious accident. In an unexpected turn of events, he hears the muffled cries of a woman from the locked back of his truck. With a crowbar, he breaks the padlock, only to be met with the startled faces of two young women: Antonia and Maria. Initially, their fears lead to a brief altercation, but James reassures them of his intentions, inviting them to sit in the front if they clean up. While initially silent, the sisters gradually allow him to extend his kindness, including sharing his shirt with them when he notices they are cold.

Amidst this tense atmosphere, James receives a phone call from his daughter Emerson. A brief glimpse into his past reveals that Emerson has been placed with her paternal grandmother. James shares a fleeting, heartfelt exchange with his daughter, discussing his plans to visit soon, which brings him joy but also highlights the sadness in the eyes of the eavesdropping Antonia.

Their journey then takes a dangerous turn as they stop for cleaning and freshening up. James’s protective nature is ignited when a lecherous man approaches, prompting him to intervene forcefully. Afterward, he learns the chilling truth from the sisters—that they were smuggled into the U.S. out of necessity to repay a debt owed by their father, with no knowledge of their future. This revelation strengthens the bond between them as they travel onwards together.

Upon arriving at their drop-off point, a roadside motel, James’s gut feeling tells him something is amiss when he meets the sinister characters who quickly usher the sisters into a black van. With growing concern, James realizes that he has unwittingly placed them into the hands of a prostitution ring, triggering a relentless pursuit to rescue them. The threats he faces grow ever more tangible as his intentions put him in conflict with those who aim to exploit the young women.

James’s desperation leads him on a mission fueled by the love for his daughter but also by a sense of responsibility for the girls he’s come to care for. With the help of a kind stranger named Dale, he navigates a series of events that involve intense confrontations, harrowing choices, and a desperate plan to infiltrate the very ring he inadvertently facilitated.

As suspense mounts, James experiences the emotional upheaval of confronting his own decisions and their dire consequences. His journey culminates in a gripping confrontation where he must choose between revenge and compassion as he strives to save both Antonia and Maria from a tragic fate. In the aftermath, James reflects on loss and redemption, ultimately transforming his and the sisters’ lives into a beacon of hope for others ensnared in similar circumstances.

One year later, James’s journey comes full circle when he encounters another young girl in crisis. Joined by Antonia, they decide to help her escape the cycle of despair, signaling their commitment to healing those affected by similar tragedies. The film closes on a poignant note as James, Antonia, and the newly rescued Kelli find solace in each other, establishing a shelter for women, representing a world of second chances and new beginnings. Together, they embrace the sunlight of a hopeful future, hand in hand at the edge of a vast valley, signifying not just survival but rebirth.