Netflix’s latest Dutch crime thriller drama ‘iHostage’ has claimed the top spot on global non-English movies list this week with 15.1 million views in its debut week itself and that would make you think it’s an incredible film, but wait you might be terribly wrong!
Directed by Bobby Boermans and inspired by the real-life 2022 Amsterdam Apple Store hostage crisis, ‘iHostage’ follows a Bulgarian man caught in a life-threatening ordeal as an armed assailant holds the building’s occupants hostage.
Despite such seemingly gripping premise and high viewership numbers as unveiled by Netflix, ‘iHostage’ has faced a barrage of negative feedback from audiences, and that definitely raises questions about its chart-topping success.
Viewers have been overwhelmingly critical about ‘iHostage’ slamming it for a lacklustre execution and calling it “worthless”, “stupid”, “boring” and much more. The film has got some pretty scathing reviews pointing out multiple weak points that include a bad script, uneventful plot, and lack of tension. The film basically lacks all that’s essential to make it a good hostage thriller.
Then way is it still gaining so much traction and dominating Netflix’s charts? Now this could be due to the charm of true crime stories that is often very attractive for viewers. Also, the high-profile setting, an Apple Store in bustling Amsterdam, further adds intrigue. Another most likely and major reason is Netflix’s algorithm which prioritises viewership over critical reception and amplifies ‘iHostage’s visibility even further.
Such scenarios where there’s a stark contrast between a content’s popularity and its poor reviews does highlight a concerning issue of sensational premise overshadowing poor overall outcome. It’s time we as audience realise all that glitters isn’t gold.
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