Neglected

Neglected is a Canadian courtroom drama based on true events, directed by Leonardo Fuica. The story centers on Joey (Félix Legault), a six-year-old boy who has been neglected by his parents since birth. At home, Joey is constantly exposed to his parents' drug abuse, wild parties, and violent fights. Unable to process his trauma, he retreats into violent video games as a coping mechanism, growing increasingly isolated and withdrawn from the world around him. His already precarious existence takes a catastrophic turn following a tragic incident at a bar. The event triggers legal proceedings, and a trial ensues in which Joey himself becomes the main subject — framed as a suspect whose disturbing circumstances the court is forced to examine. Through the courtroom, the film exposes the full scope of Joey's suffering and the systemic failures — by family, institutions, and society — that allowed his neglect to continue unchecked. The parents, portrayed by Mélanie Elliott (as Ruby) and Gabriel Coles (as Frank), are scrutinized for their role. The narrative asks a moral 'chicken-or-the-egg' question about culpability: is a child shaped entirely by the violence and indifference surrounding him, or does responsibility lie elsewhere? The film ultimately argues for urgent early intervention and the creation of safe, nurturing environments for children who have experienced trauma. Specific details about the bar incident and the trial's outcome are not widely documented in available sources, limiting the granularity of this summary.

Sources: TMDb overview, Silence Films distribution page (silencedistribution.com), Letterboxd, where2watch.ca, cinemaclock.com, Le petit septième (partial — English page only)