I’m a big fan of thrillers that take place in singular, sometimes isolating locations — be they classics like Phone Booth to newer films like Drop. There’s an added layer of enjoyment to movies like this when their inspiration pulls from real-world sources. Enter iHostage

, a Dutch movie directed by Bobby Boerman and written by Boerman and Simon de Waal. Based on a real hostage situation in 2022, the movie shows events involving a gunman holding hostages inside an Apple Store in Amsterdam, demanding millions of dollars in exchange for their freedom.

The movie’s premise is simple and to-the-point, with a heavy focus on the details of the events that unfold. Various perspectives also lend to the film’s engagement, from the hostage taker, his main hostage, and those on the police force trying to keep him from harming anyone. While the characters themselves don’t get any overt arcs, their personalities shine through as the hostage situation develops. This includes some personal stories that, while subtle, reveal more about both the hostage-taker and his captive as the high-octane story unravels.

iHostage Is Focused On Realistic, High-Intensity Events

The Hostage Situation Is Engaging Right From The Start

When iHostage begins, it follows a man named Ilian (Admir Šehović), who is in Amsterdam for work, entering the Apple Store to buy AirPods when a gunman (Soufiane Moussouli) arrives. He ends up taking Ilian hostage, while two other groups of people hide in other locations inside the store. This setup adds many layers of tension right from the start — not only is the protagonist being held at gunpoint by an unpredictable criminal, but others inside the store have to avoid being detected by their would-be captor.

The 2025 Netflix movie adds new layers to the drama as well, focusing on a mulтιтude of law enforcement figures who are trying to amicably quell the situation. Loes Haverkort’s Lynn stands out the most, as she is brought in to try and negotiate with the hostage-taker and parse out what he wants. This is furthered because of the movie’s strong performances, every character’s reactions feeling believable and three-dimensional as events play out. Moussouli portrays a stellar, multi-layered antagonist, while Emmanuel Ohene Boafo’s Apple Store employee Mingus offers a dynamic perspective on the events unfolding.

While characters don’t feel as fleshed-out as they could be, the movie’s focus isn’t really on making everyone three-dimensional. Instead, it’s about the wider situation at play, alongside the interactions Ilian and his captor have as tension rises. This approach works to the film’s benefit, offering interesting dynamics as the two are forced to interact because of their situation. It allows for interesting, character-driven scenes that make the thrilling crime movie all the more interesting as new events unfold.

iHostage Delivers A Breakneck Pace With A Story That Never Stops

The Constantly-Moving Plot Even Elevated Some Slower Sequences

iHostage is furthered by a story that never stops moving, with major events constantly unfolding that threaten to topple the precarious situation like a house of cards. It makes for some incredibly intense moments that lead into even more heightened anxiety, making me fearful about whether everyone was going to make it out alive. Despite this dramatization, though, the movie sticks to the facts of the true story as well, utilizing details in ways that flow naturally into the movie. It’s a feat that demonstrates the talent behind the movie, and how well it encapsulates such a terrifying situation.

Thanks to the stellar acting and nonstop pace of the story, iHostage transcends a few underdeveloped characters to create an intense story based on scarily true events. The movie left me on the edge of my seat the whole time, offering a unique crime film that reminded me of some of my favorites in the thriller genre. It’s a worthwhile endeavor that does a stellar job at feeling like other isolating thrillers, while also showcasing a story that is its own brand of intense.

iHostage is now streaming on Netflix.