Cautiva

Of course there have been tens of thousands of real women who have been held captive against their will. As an example there were the three (3) young ladies that were held captive against their will for almost ten (10) years in Cleveland by the serial predator and rapist Ariel Castro. The 2015 film titled Cleveland Abduction documented in detail what these three women went through and how they eventually escaped Castro's in-house prison. (You can read my IMDB review on this film dated May 05th, 2015.)

This Lifetime film was deeply unrealistic by how blatantly neglectful both the local police and newspapers were in not covering the abduction story of missing women if it really did occur. This is a very much exaggerated "women held prisoner" by a neat and tidy wacko neighbor. Although the story line is an interesting concept in which the captor is still living in the 1950's based on his physical appearance, the car he drives, and how is basement prison is decorated with retro 1950's furniture and appliances, there doesn't seem to be any Dick Tracy around to solve the case of these missing women.

As in many other films, the ending leaves a lot to be desired and was a letdown for me. I give the film a 6 out of 10 rating.

A couple have their flat broken into. They go inside BEFORE phoning the police, and promptly get more stuff stolen by the homeless guy still there, who holds them at gunpoint. Deciding to move house, they end up living next door to a weirdo who dresses like a throwback to the 50's. He abducts the female to keep as his own personal slave in an underground shelter, making her a 'kept woman'. Will she ever escape? Can she ever rid herself of the awful dresses she's forced to wear? And who'd thought the police force could be so stupid?

Yes, I KNOW this is supposed to be a Made For TV Movie, but c'mon... the creep in the dapper suits and bow tie has been linked to the disappearances of students and has even been questioned by the police... So why isn't he linked to the investigation? Who knows. And the fact the husband believes his wife left him permanently after the most minor of arguments, leaving behind her phone and various other possessions... Hear that creaking noise? That's credibility being stretched to breaking point.

Still, it's not all bad. The movie paints a picture of a claustrophobic environment well, where Stockholm Syndrome can easily set in and your old life could soon fade to a distant memory. The acting is of a higher calibre than usual for this kind of production, and the intense moments scattered throughout will probably have you watching until the end. Until the climax, that is... When all the subtlety and understatement goes out the window in favour of a brainless violent confrontation, not to mention the cheesiest of 'uplifting' messages tacked on as an addendum. Yawn.

Still, seen much worse. Oh, yes I have... 5/10

I was pretty surprised at this one, it was much better than I was expecting for a TV movie. Story was good with a couple clever tricks up it's sleeve. It kept my attention and was entertaining with a solid cast. Everyone did a great job especially the leading lady. I wish as a whole it was a tad darker and creepier but, again, it was a made for TV movie. Give this one a shot, I would recommend.

The first few minutes almost swayed me away - the robber sucked at acting. But despite being a made for a TV movie, this had some thrills and chills throughout.

I thought the two leads (Jessica & Evan) and the neighbor (Simon) played their roles with tenacity. Simon's character had a dark and ominous aura to him, specifically with the voice that he used.

The limitations were that the viewer doesn't fully understand Simon's motivations for entrapping women into his basement and making the room into a 1950s atmosphere. Also Evan and the police officer (Tyler) each entered Simon's home without any backup. They had substantial evidence that Simon was sadistic and creepy, and yet they just mosey on into his home without a care in the world.

Ultimately it was a decent movie, slightly gory but with a strong script.

There are some annoying plot holes, but the good acting made up for it. The ostensibly polite and helpful neighbour was a convincingly creepy villain. Less your out and out bloodthirsty sadist and more of a delusional but clever incel determined to bend women to his will. There was tension as we saw the heroine under Stepford wife indoctrination and I really wanted Simon to get his comeuppance.