Movies

Happy Valley boss’s horrifying new UK thriller wastes its impressive cast on an over-the-top plot

BBG News

In a simpler and more natural way, we can rephrase: “Just like Coco Chanel’s wise words, ‘Remove the last item you added,’ this fashion tip helps to avoid overdoing it when an outfit is already perfect. If The Stolen Girl had followed this advice, the performance might have been flawless.

Unfortunately, instead of enhancing the excitement, it just continues to pile on elements, ultimately leading to a climax that lacks elegance and feels excessively showy.

Absolutely, we’re discussing television here, not clothing or jewelry. In this context, the valuable elements are interwoven storylines that stack up so densely that some become lost due to lack of proper execution and focus.

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Presented as a chilling concern for parents everywhere, the latest Disney+ thriller, overseen by TV producer Nicola Shindler from “Happy Valley“, is based on the 2020 novel “Playdate” penned by Alex Dahl.

As a devoted fan, I find myself deeply empathizing with the Blix family as their world spirals unexpectedly when their cherished nine-year-old daughter, Lucia (Beatrice Campbell), mysteriously vanishes following a sleepover at her friend Josie’s (Robyn Betteridge) abode.

The nerve-wracking trailer depicted Elisa (Denise Gough) and Fred (Jim Sturgess) anxiously venturing to retrieve their daughter, Josie. However, they were shocked to find out that Josie’s seemingly idyllic residence was merely a vacation rental, and her mother, Rebecca (Holliday Grainger), whom they thought they knew, was not who she had presented herself to be.

The exploration of Lucia’s vanishing unearths heart-wrenching truths, leaving a profound effect on viewers that ought to captivate them. Unfortunately, one shocking revelation following another, coupled with unexpected turns, weakens this intended impact.

Overloading a limited series with numerous concepts often results in insufficient time to fully develop them. Elisa’s background has potential for depth and intrigue, but due to time limitations, the story doesn’t evolve naturally, giving it a hurried feel. Consequently, some plot twists become predictable before their revelation.

In a similar vein, relentless journalist Selma (Ambika Mod from “One Day”) is an intriguing figure, yet her intuitions seem unsupported. It’s as if “The Stolen Girl” manipulates the evidence to fit Selma’s beliefs instead of creating a clear enough picture for Selma to be motivated by her findings.

In many stories where multiple events aim to outshine one another, they often overlook the need for believability. While a drama can bend or break rules, it requires an element of realism – the sensation that such incidents could occur in everyday life – to keep audiences engaged. To achieve this, each surprise or turn of events must be justified and well-grounded within the storyline.

The captivating performances, particularly those of Grainger and Gough, are what make “The Stolen Girl” truly shine.

As a devoted admirer, I find Rebecca utterly captivating, teetering precariously between the brink of mania and despair. Grainger’s electrifying portrayal presents a character that is simultaneously dangerous, bone-chilling, and emotionally resonant – a truly remarkable blend.

With his captivating, piercing blue eyes, Gough draws you deep into Elisa’s sorrow, while her intense, compelling performance ensures you remain empathetic towards her struggle.

In “The Kidnapped Girl,” the choice of actors was undeniably spot-on; however, the narrative fell short, which is unfortunate given the potential it had and the intriguing enigma that got buried under an abundance of details.

All episodes of The Stolen Girl are available to stream on Disney+ now.

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2025-04-16 18:49

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