Believe Me: The Abduction of Lisa McVey

On the night she contemplates ending her life, 17-year-old Lisa McVey is abducted from a quiet street and thrust into a nightmare she believes she can't escape. Her captor subjects her to violence and fear, but she relies on courage and quick thinking to persuade him to release her. Returning home, her story is met with skepticism by most, dismissed as a hoax or danger to others. Only one detective, Sgt. Larry Pinkerton, suspects a serial killer might be behind her abduction and begins to follow the threads of her testimony. The film follows her ordeal, the impact on her family, and a survivor's resolve to be heard.

Directed by Jim Donovan and written by Christina Welsh, Believe Me features Katie Douglas as Lisa McVey and David James Elliott as Sgt. Larry Pinkerton, with Rossif Sutherland portraying Bobby Joe Long. This television feature premiered in 2018, adapting a documented real life case for TV.

Critical responses highlighted the film's careful handling of trauma and its emphasis on credible testimony rather than sensationalism. Viewers are invited to consider how survivors cope with disbelief while seeking support, and the story looks at memory, fear, and the long road to healing after violence without crossing into melodrama.

By centering a teenage survivor, the film puts a human face on a widely publicized case and fuels discussion about trafficking, safe reporting, and survivor rights. It reinforces that belief can be a catalyst for accountability and justice, while showing law enforcement balancing sensitivity with persistence. Viewers also see how a single investigative lead can shift public perception and prompt real world responses.

Box office data for this television movie is not publicly disclosed since Believe Me aired on television rather than in theaters, so financial performance is measured by viewership and reach rather than gross revenue.