A sensitive documentary that might be only suited for the most mature of audiences. Yeah I'm talking about 2026's Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart, one of those 90-minute, streaming pics that unfolds like pure fiction even though it's solely based on true events and communique. I mean why has it taken almost 25 years to tell Smart's story? And what's up with the weird behavior of some of her relatives via media coverage? And why did the abductors wear white robes and tunics? "This case captivated the nation." You ain't kidding boss. You really ain't kidding.
So OK, there's a grainy yet streamlined look to "Kidnapped", with helmer Benedict Sanderson shooting everything chronologically until the big vouchsafe halfway through. Basically with Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart you're looking at early 2000s archives intertwined with present-day interviews mainly from the Smart kin or the Salt Lake City rozzers. You want a solid episode of 48 Hours with production values and Utah locales that ascend? Yup, you'll get that with "Kidnapped". You want a docu that plays it safe, embracing the tactful and/or the kid-glove strands? Not here chief. Surely not here.
Distributed by Netflix, with scenes of very spectral reenactments (yikes), Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart is about well, Elizabeth Smart, a 14-year-old girl who was abducted from her home circa 2002 with only her younger sister as a witness. Her kidnappers were a couple of Bible-thumpers, abusing Smart and keeping her captive for nine months until a chance rescue by the authorities comes about. "Kidnapped", well it's eerie and startling stuff, with haunting music by Mat Davidson and tenebrous direction by Sanderson (mentioned earlier). If it weren't for the audience knowing some good things to come out of Smart's upshot later on, Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart might have been too difficult to keep a weather eye on. "Atrial capture".
Written by Jesse Burleson
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