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Parents' Guide to

Kidnapping Stella

By Brian Costello, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Violent German thriller is exciting but predictable.

Movie NR 2019 89 minutes
Kidnapping Stella Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

age 16+

Based on 3 parent reviews

age 15+

Horrendous and annoying

The film is full of high pitched annoying whaling and screaming. Don’t waste your time
age 18+

ANNOYING SCREAMING seems to be the headliner.

To be frank The movie trailer intrigued me and I initially found myself pretty excited to watch it. That changed probably quicker than any movie ever has for me. Unfortunately about ten minutes into the movie I literally wanted to smash my television from annoyance. (NO EXAGGERATION) The first 13 minutes of the film showcases Stella being kidnapped, and all you hear is high pitched annoying screaming for over a dozen minutes straight. No lines besides that. I had to almost turn down my television in fear neighbors would think something was happening in my home. The English voiceovers are horrendous. The high pitch scream is constant throughout the film and you cannot enjoy a full 5 minutes without hearing it again and being reminded how minimalist the film is in script, scenes, and dialogue. I hope this review can warn others how kidnapping Stella’s annoying screaming dialogue for a large percentage of the movie ruins it completely . The lack of scenes and stories or background in this film solidifies the more disappointing truth. There is nothing in this film for no one to enjoy. Perhaps only the actors or director himself can enjoy watching this.i give it 0 stars and two thumbs down . I’m Very disappointed Netflix let this annoy so many others and that their marketing has placed it up high on my search algorithm. Pathetic filmmaker and most horrible voice over actress ever in the history of all. My 4 year old niece could’ve done better.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (1 ):

This is an engaging thriller, even as you have the feeling that so much of this has been done before. Kidnapping Stella begins with the shopworn montage of the bad guys buying then installing all the equipment they need to pull off their crime. Then, a step-by-step of how the abduction of the titular character is undertaken. There's the "alpha" bad guy and the bad guy who seems like he's getting cold feet. The severing, or threat of severing -- in this case, with bolt cutters -- of a body part in order to prove to the rich person being extorted that the bad guys mean business. The expected problems that poke holes in the seemingly foolproof plan.

And yet, there are some twists to the story that work. The film's basic minimalist structure of three characters and sparse dialogue heightens what suspense emerges out of all these thriller tropes. The acting of the three performers reveals a nuance that grows in complexity as more information is revealed about their relationships and back stories. It doesn't break any new ground, but the film's final moments are completely riveting. Overall, Kidnapping Stella is a decent, if not particularly original, thriller.

Movie Details

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