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Parents' Guide to

Kidnap

By Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Children in peril in tense, gripping Halle Berry thriller.

Movie R 2017 94 minutes
Kidnap Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

age 14+

Based on 18 parent reviews

age 18+

Emotional damage

Such a good movie every mother's and fathers worst nightmare

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
age 13+

Great film to teach to your kids about safety

Extremely intense! Very anxiety-inducing but an important message about keeping your kids close.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (18 ):
Kids say (16 ):

Despite having spent some time on the shelf, this thriller is far from a dud; it's surprisingly gripping, as well as relentlessly suspenseful, and it takes only a few not-too-bright shortcuts. Kidnap begins with a series of home movies, watching little Frankie grow up from babyhood, with the voice of his mama cooing at him. It's a simple device, but it conveys the depth of Karla's love and dedication to her son. Add that to the threat of losing custody, and we're off. Kidnap's fast pace and spare, streamlined approach recalls classic thrillers like The Fugitive and Speed.

Spanish director Luis Prieto brings several fresh angles to his chase movie -- edits timed to the beating of a heart, tilted angles, and close-ups crossed with wide-angle shots -- all in an attempt to keep the viewer's adrenaline spiked. The sound design is likewise clever and creative, deliberately holding back on pounding music and using sounds of the road (tires screeching, gravel crunching) to heighten tension. The backwoods-bumpkin bad guys played by Lew Temple and Chris McGinn are scary and nasty, and Berry proves her talent and star power by performing largely alone -- and extremely effectively.

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