Watch My Online Bride

My Online Bride is a documentary film that takes a deep dive into the world of international online dating and marriage. The movie, directed by UK-based director and producer, Emma Young, sheds light on the dark and despicable industry that preys on young women in impoverished countries. The documentary follows the story of several UK-based men who use online dating sites to find and marry women from countries like Ukraine, Russia, and the Philippines. The men in question are looking for a “traditional” wife who will cook, clean, and care for them, often at the cost of the women’s own autonomy and dignity.

The film begins by introducing us to a gloomy online dating industry, where men can browse profiles of women from all over the world and chat with them in real-time. These services are offered by “marriage agencies” that charge men exorbitant fees for translating messages, supplying photos, and arranging meetings.

One of the men the film focuses on is “Mike” (not his real name), a 35-year-old lorry driver from Yorkshire who has grown tired of the dating scene in the UK. Mike turns to the internet to search for a wife, and quickly becomes involved with a woman named Elena from Ukraine. What ensues is an emotionally-tense journey as Mike travels to Ukraine to meet with Elena and marry her, even though they have only spent a few hours in each other’s company.

Another man featured in the film is a 60-year-old retiree named Chris, who spends most of his time in the company of his dog in a small village in Scotland. Chris is lonely and has grown disillusioned with British women, so he turns to an online dating agency to find companionship. The agency introduces him to a Filipina woman named Len, and after several months of communicating online, Chris decides to fly to the Philippines to meet Len in person.

As the film progresses, it becomes clear that the women involved in these relationships are often not in control of their own lives. Many of them are dependent on the money sent to them by their online husbands, and are living in dire poverty. One of the women, Anastasia from Ukraine, is shown to be living in a run-down apartment with her mother and sister, and is unable to find work due to the dire economic situation in the country.

The women are often portrayed as being vulnerable and helpless, and it’s clear that the men they’re involved with exploit their situation. Some of the men even attempt to impose strict rules on their wives, forbidding them from working or making their own decisions.

The film also highlights the cultural differences that exist in these relationships, as well as the language barrier that often makes communication difficult. In one particularly saddening scene, we see Elena struggling to understand what Mike is saying in English, and his frustration at not being able to get his point across.

One of the key themes of the movie is the role that online dating agencies play in facilitating these relationships. The agencies are often just fronts for large-scale scams, with staff members posing as women and using fake profiles to lure in unsuspecting men. The film also shows how the agencies often coach women on how to behave during meetings with prospective husbands, telling them to act submissive and deferential.

My Online Bride is a thought-provoking and often unsettling look at a disturbing phenomenon. It shows how technology has made it easier than ever for men in the Western world to exploit women from impoverished countries and treat them as little more than commodities. The film also raises important questions about the role that governments and law enforcement agencies have in regulating the online dating industry and protecting vulnerable individuals. Ultimately, it’s a powerful critique of a cruel and exploitative industry that shows no signs of slowing down.