Kidnap

Plot
The 2017 psychological thriller film Kidnap directed by Luis Prieto, revolves around the story of Karla McCoy, a single mother played by Halle Berry. On a typical day, Karla drops off her six-year-old son, Frankie, at summer camp, but her world is turned upside down when she is unexpectedly informed by the camp administrators that Frankie is missing. Panicked and desperate, Karla embarks on a perilous journey to search for her missing son. The film opens with an intense and emotional sequence where Karla receives the shocking news about Frankie's disappearance. She rushes back to the camp, only to find the facility evacuated due to a supposed "gas leak." Determined to locate her son, Karla decides to take matters into her own hands, leading her to scour the streets in her trusty Minivan. Her quest is driven by an innate motherly instinct, an unshakeable bond that propels her through the dark and treacherous terrain. As Karla delves deeper into an underworld of crime and corruption, she is constantly one step behind the shadowy figure responsible for Frankie's vanishing. Her investigation becomes a maelstrom of emotions, with every twist and turn pushing her to the limits of human endurance. Meanwhile, the film also sheds light on Karla's background, portraying her as a mother who, despite having made mistakes in the past, remains driven by a profound love for her son. Karla's journey serves as a metaphor for the unrelenting power of maternal love, which transcends even the most daunting challenges. As the story unfolds, Karla discovers a cryptic message on her son's phone that hints at his location. This cryptic clue sets her off on a high-stakes pursuit through the city, a thrilling sequence that showcases Karla's determination and tenacity. Throughout her ordeal, Karla encounters various allies and adversaries who impact her quest to find Frankie. One of her most significant connections is a resourceful and charismatic stranger, played by Chris Messina, who possesses invaluable knowledge about the underworld and offers Karla a crucial lead. Despite her initial hesitation to trust others, Karla develops an unlikely friendship with the mysterious stranger, whose presence injects a sense of hope into her desperate search. Together, they navigate the dark underbelly of the city, piecing together the puzzle that has been Frankie's disappearance. However, as Karla edges closer to the truth, she realizes that her pursuit of her son has made her a target. She must now utilize the skills and instincts she has been using to locate Frankie to protect herself from danger. The film reaches a fever pitch of suspense as Karla's relentless search culminates in a tense showdown with the person responsible for her son's kidnapping. The climactic confrontation serves as a poignant tribute to the indomitable strength of a mother's love, one that can withstand even the harshest of realities. In the aftermath of the ordeal, Karla's resolve is reinforced, as she comes to terms with the realization that her bond with Frankie is unbreakable. In the final scenes of the film, Karla is seen reuniting with her son, finally able to hold him in her arms once more. The reconnection between Karla and Frankie serves as a heartwarming conclusion to the story, underscoring the transformative power of love in the face of adversity. The Kidnap is a gripping, intense thriller that propels viewers through an emotional rollercoaster. With Halle Berry delivering a tour-de-force performance as a mother driven by her unconditional love for her child, the film reminds us that the bond between a parent and child is an unbreakable force that cannot be defeated by the darkest of circumstances.
Reviews
Alice
A very unsuccessful adaptation riddled with plot holes. With Han Yan as executive producer, it inexplicably incorporates elements from "Animal World" and a sentimental subplot involving the orphanage director. The filming techniques are consistent with last year's terrible "The Corridors," using horror movie tactics. Furthermore, the core of the story isn't the suspense but the emotional entanglement between the male and female leads. Therefore, the casting alone doomed it. The two actors share absolutely no chemistry, and there's no gradual development of their relationship. There's no convincing reason for a wealthy woman to fall in love with Peng Yuchang. Casting someone like Zhu Yawen, as in the TV series version, would have been a much better fit.
Ruth
The first hour is a real slog. It only gets marginally better when the twists start. At the beginning, it feels a bit like "Animal World," and unsurprisingly, Han Yan is the executive producer... There are tons of plot holes, and Peng Yuchang and Hu Bingqing have zero chemistry. No one in the entire movie speaks normally; everyone has this incredibly deep, breathy voice, trying to sound mysterious... 6
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