The Abolitionists is a 2016 American documentary film directed by Darrin Fletcher and Chet Thomas about a sting mission orchestrated in Colombia by the organization Operation Underground Railroad jump team, led by former U.S. Homeland Security Special Agent Tim Ballard, countering child sex trafficking.
Development
The film was developed first and foremost as a reality television series, but as the first episode was being edited it began to take on its own life as a feature film, with seven episodes of the television series about subsequent jumps produced shortly after.
Reception
Critical response
The site NYC Movie Guru's critic wrote: "Spellbinding, gripping and eye-opening. Bravo to directors Darrin Fletcher and Chet Thomas for bringing Tim Ballard and the human rights issue of child sex trafficking to light". The Abolitionists had a one-night premiere on May 16, 2016, at over 450 theaters.