iHostage

I think the movie does achieve some thrilling atmosphere in the beginning, but fails to maintain that as it gets repetitive. It has some good elements to it, a few good actors (but a weak script), and the setting is good. However, very poor attempts at tough-sounding one-liners are made, as well as powerplay moves that make no sense, which give the movie a cringe vibe. Also, characters are weak and shallow, testosterone-driven, and not in a good way-they come across as thick and egocentric. Shame, it's such an interesting non-fiction event, but it absolutely fails to reach its potential. I'd recommend watching the documentary.

As a Dutch guy, iHostage hit differently. I remembered the real story from the news, and seeing it dramatized was both fascinating and frustrating. The movie is suspenseful from start to finish. There's a constant feeling of unease, especially because it's so grounded in something that actually happened.

What stands out is how it highlights the failures of the Dutch police response. You want to believe these situations are handled professionally, but what the movie shows is a lack of preparation and decisive action. It's sad but, unfortunately, realistic. The story itself is well-acted and well-paced. You stay locked in because you know this isn't fiction-it's a reflection of real incompetence. Definitely worth watching, especially for Dutch viewers.

I looked forward to viewing this film. I enjoy foreign films. American tv is over produced and the writing is often not stellar. But European films and episodics tend to be gritier and more realistic. Grounded acting and real looking people who are not overly groomed. But Ihostage felt American, especially the constant music which turned it into melodrama and sentimentalized the story. The dialogue was often over written, as though they were explaining info to a not very bright audience. Dog Day Afternoon this is not. The great acting of Pacino, Cazale, Durning, etc. Reminds one how far films can go. Although I enjoyed ihostage overall, i certainly hoped for more.

IHostage is based on a true story that once dominated the Dutch headlines, which immediately gives the movie a certain weight. Unfortunately, it never really digs deeper than a surface-level retelling. While the events themselves are inherently dramatic, the film fails to explore the emotional or psychological layers that could have made it truly gripping.

Characters remain flat, and there's little insight into their motivations or inner struggles. The code word felt clumsy and unrealistic, seriously undermining the tension. Overall, a missed opportunity to turn a powerful story into a decent movie.

I am becoming quite the fan of Dutch movies of the sort.

Golden hour was the series that sort of started it all and it was a seminar of pace,actions scenes and suspense.

This one has the added bonus of being based on true events.

This very fact makes it more gripping and realistic from the get go.

It does not have to adhere to any preconceived narrative or flow. The true events create the narrative themselves. That said all the actors do a fine job and everything is rendered with due care and diligence.

I believe that anyone who chooses to spend almost two hours watching it will not be disappointed.

After all,it is,more or less,what happened.