For context, this writer actually watched iHostage in order to accurately report on this phenomenon. This is not a review, though, but to completely understand a discussion on a film, we recommend watching it first before forming your own opinion. In the case of iHostage, it is likely the film started with trying to recreate the incident it was based on, resulting in essentially a filmed dramatic reenactment.

If that is something you like, then this is a film for you, but considering the labels of Crime Thriller and Suspense that Netflix promoted the film with, many were expecting an actual feature film. With 0% from critics and an abysmal 18% as of now audience score, iHostage’s continued stay in the most watched list is just baffling. While an argument could be made for a it’s so bad it’s good case, it’s really not a fitting description of the film if anything the strict sticking to the known facts including not giving the gunman a concrete motivation as police were unable to obtain one during negotiations, makes the film somewhat brutality honest. With the direct play by play resulting in enough interest to watch the film even if the resulting experience is negative. If anything, iHostage’s success is a testament that audiences want new and diverse choices and really don’t mind if it’s not the most polished or perfect, it’s something to watch in the afternoon and move on from. Something few new films can say, being either sequels or readaptations. iHostage is unintrusive, not flashy, nor embellished, the real-life story resulting in the simplicity of the film.

Bobby Boermans, the film’s director, was an actual witness to the crime and shared his impression of the events in an interview.

“Fortunately, hostage situations like this are scarce in the Netherlands. That’s what made this incident bizarre. A man, demanding 200 million in cryptocurrency, chose to take a hostage in broad daylight on one of the busiest squares in Amsterdam,” he tells TIME magazine.

Considering Boermans one to one success on iHostage, it is likely this style of film may be revisited with different advertising.

iHostage is still streaming on Netflix now.