Common Sense Media Review
By Martin Brown
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
True crime drama has language, threats, but a great cast.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
American Hostage
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
AMERICAN HOSTAGE is an anthology series with a first season that focuses on an event from 1977 in which a Tony Kiritsis (Giovanni Ribisi) kidnaps his mortgage broker at gunpoint. Kiritsis contacts local newsman Fred Heckman (Jon Hamm) to get his story out, and the entire newsroom gets involved in the case.
Is It Any Good?
Like plenty of other shows based on actual events, this anthology series' debut falls into the trap of thinking that a great story automatically makes a great drama. Thus, the story of American Hostage's Tony Kiritsis feels both familiar and overburdened, as its central character is used as a stand-in for poor Americans taken advantage of by the rich. Avid crime show fans could probably accurately predict the entire plot of the first season based on just its opening minutes. But the creative team, including a top-notch cast, does its part to make the story entertaining (especially the editors, who use split screens more than any series since 24).
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about hostage stories. Why do you think creators built a series around the idea of hostages? Why did they choose to tell the story of Tony Kiritsis? How is his story relevant to contemporary life?
What role does Fred Heckman think the media should play in citizens' lives? How do his ethics influence his actions in dealing with Kiritsis? Do his actions prove right or wrong?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 20, 2026
- Cast : Jon Hamm , William Jackson Harper , Mireille Enos
- Network : MGM+
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : History
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 23, 2026
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