Former child actress Mackenzie Vega portrays as Sam Gleason,a High School cheerleader who was gang-raped, in this TV movie entitled "The Assault".Gary Weeks co-stars with Vega as the Sam's supportive father Dan together with Khandi Alexander as Detective Jodi Miller who was assigned to investigate the rape case in this television film directed by Jason Winn.Pretty cheerleader Sam got drunk one night after breaking up with her boyfriend footballer Reed.Unfortunately,the rest of the football team took advantage of her drunkenness after Reed left and brought her to a room to rape her.This led to Sam into committing almost committing suicide.After she was hospitalized,Sam,Gary and her friends started to investigate what occurred that night through the collection of data gathered from social media to assist Detective Jodi Miller to bring down the people responsible for it.While it was evident that we are treated to a typical and predictable story having a theme about rape,the performances somehow raised it into becoming a better-than-your average TV movie.Mackenzie Vega did well in her portrayal as Sam as she gets to emote very well from the hurt and trauma that she experienced from getting rape until her determination to bring down the guilty people when no one among the members of the football team and the cheerleaders would talk.It was interesting how the gathering of social media was used.That element of the story provided interest in the story.Finally,one would get treated to an above average Lifetime TV movie having rape themes.

Lifetime Movie inspired by the 2012 Steubenville High School rape case. Cheerleader Vega attempts suicide by self-immolation, setting into motion events that could make the community's beloved football team accountable for a very serious crime. Very dramatic for the better. Still, way too cookie-cutter in terms of structure, and the story unravels more like a mystery/thriller than a drama with something important to say. There's also the need to explain too much, indicating an underestimation of the viewer. Khandi Alexander is memorable as Detective Jodi Miller. Buckner's first role in seven years. Good if you have nothing better to do.**½ (out of four)

Forever predictable film where high school jocks go wild after a game and gang rape a high school cheerleader who had just broken up with her boyfriend.The girl was very much drunk when the crime was committed so who in heaven's name is going to believe her?The girl's widowed father seems to be sedate during this whole affair until there is definite proof of what has occurred.I know that we have technology and blogs to show what is occurring, and yet more and more of these tapes keep appearing throughout the film.Film proves that guys can't get whatever they want and that coincidentally the high school coach's sister is investigating the case and will not give her brother any slack for essentially claiming that young guys shall be young guys.

Dressed as a cheerleader, an attractive young woman walks tearfully onto a high school football field and sets herself on fire. Fortunately, she survives with only minor arm burns, thanks to handsome football player Pierson Fode (as Reed Johnson). In the hospital, we discover more about our heroine - specifically, cute 17-year-old Makenzie Vega (as Samantha "Sam" Gleason) reports being sexually assaulted by a football player. Later, "The Assault" allegedly involves more players. Kind and exceptionally sympathetic police detective Khandi Alexander (as Jodi Miller) is assigned the case. She views Ms. Vega as a brave young accuser, but realistically notes a prosecution will be difficult as Vega was drunk and doesn't recall the incident...If it were any more predictable, a video of the gang-rape would turn up and prove the victim's case; it's also possible a flashback could be employed. Writer Jennifer Maisel makes Vega more interesting with single father Gary Weeks (as Dan) and director Jason Winn adds hints that her childhood friend Amy Bruckner (as Frankie) may want a same-sex relationship - but neither really lifts the drama above ordinary. Malik Yoba (as Tim Miller) plays the conflicted coach and Christopher Foley aka Cristopher Knight Roberts (as Christopher "Chris" Burch) tackles the main villain role well; both have effective scenes with Ms. Alexander. Photographer Brian Crane favors intimate over-the-head-and-shoulder scenes and John Stimpson edits them nicely.***** The Assault (9/20/14) Jason Winn ~ Makenzie Vega, Khandi Alexander, Gary Weeks, Christopher Foley