Hostage Review: Suranne Jones Shines in a Predictable Thriller That Lacks Replay Value
ENTERTAINMENT
Netflix’s Hostage is a five-part political thriller starring Suranne Jones as the British Prime Minister, caught between rescuing her kidnapped husband and navigating intense political power plays — a tale of suspense, sacrifice, and high-stakes drama.
Hostage Review: Suranne Jones Shines in a Predictable Thriller That Lacks Replay Value
There’s something inherently thrilling about a hostage drama. The confined space, the ticking clock, the power struggle between captors and captives — all of it has the potential to create edge-of-your-seat tension. Hostage, the latest political thriller to hit the screen, seemed to promise exactly that. With Suranne Jones in the lead, expectations were high. Known for her brilliant performances in Doctor Foster and Gentleman Jack, Jones is one of those actors who can turn even an average script into something watchable. And to be fair, she does exactly that here. But the question is — does Hostage deliver enough to make it memorable?
After watching it, my answer is: not really.
The Premise — A Familiar Setup
The story follows a British diplomat, played by Suranne Jones, who finds herself caught in the middle of a tense hostage situation while on a diplomatic mission abroad. The opening scenes set the stage well — we get a glimpse of her character’s personal life, her professional struggles, and the fact that she’s someone who doesn’t easily back down from a challenge. Then comes the incident that changes everything: the embassy is stormed by armed militants, and she, along with a few others, is taken hostage.
From here, the narrative becomes a mix of psychological tension, negotiation drama, and political maneuvering. There’s a government response team trying to negotiate her release, internal conflicts among the captors, and the usual race-against-time tension we’ve come to expect from hostage thrillers.
The setup isn’t new — we’ve seen similar stories in films like Captain Phillips, Argo, or even series like Bodyguard. But that doesn’t mean it can’t work. A familiar story can still be gripping if the execution is fresh. Unfortunately, this is where Hostage stumbles a bit.
Suranne Jones — The Saving Grace
Let’s get this out of the way first: Suranne Jones is the heart of Hostage. She delivers a layered performance, balancing vulnerability with quiet strength. Her character feels real — not an over-the-top action hero, but someone who is frightened yet determined to survive.
There’s one particular scene where she tries to calm down a panicking hostage while hiding her own fear. Jones’s facial expressions — the slight quiver in her voice, the subtle shift in her body language — make you feel her anxiety without a single melodramatic outburst. It’s moments like these that elevate the show from being completely forgettable.
Honestly, if it weren’t for her, I probably wouldn’t have been invested enough to finish it.
Predictability — The Show’s Biggest Flaw
Here’s the problem: after the first two episodes, I could pretty much guess where the story was going. The betrayals, the power struggles, the final standoff — it all felt too familiar. The writers clearly wanted to keep the audience on edge, but instead of clever twists, they relied on clichés we’ve all seen before.
Even the antagonists felt a bit one-dimensional. There’s the “reasonable negotiator” among the captors, the “hot-headed extremist” who creates problems, and of course, the obligatory government official who’s willing to risk everything for political gain. It’s not that these archetypes don’t work, but the show doesn’t do enough to make them stand out.
As a result, there were moments when my attention drifted. I found myself checking my phone during scenes that should have been tense. That’s never a good sign for a thriller.
The Tension — Good, But Not Great
One thing I will give credit for is the atmosphere. The cinematography does a good job of making you feel the claustrophobia of being trapped. The lighting is dim, the camera lingers on the characters’ faces long enough for us to feel their fear, and the sound design uses silence effectively.
But again, tension only works if you’re invested in the outcome. And because I could guess how most of it would play out, the stakes never felt as high as they should have.
Political Undertones — A Mixed Bag
The show does try to comment on larger political issues — international diplomacy, terrorism, the moral dilemmas of negotiation — but it never goes as deep as it could. There’s a subplot involving backroom deals that could have been really interesting if explored properly, but instead, it feels rushed and serves mostly as a device to move the plot forward.
Personally, I think this was a missed opportunity. Hostage dramas are perfect for exploring grey areas — what compromises are worth making to save lives? How far should a government go to negotiate with extremists? These are questions that could have added more depth and made Hostage a much richer experience.
My Takeaway — Watchable, But Not Rewatchable
At the end of the day, Hostage is one of those shows that you’ll watch once, enjoy enough to see through to the end, and then probably never think about again. It’s not bad — the performances (especially Jones’s) are strong, the pacing is decent, and there are a few genuinely tense moments.
But in a world where there are so many gripping thrillers competing for our attention, Hostage doesn’t do enough to stand out. For me, it was a decent one-time watch, but not something I’d recommend if you’re looking for a truly edge-of-your-seat experience.
If you’re a Suranne Jones fan, it’s worth checking out just for her performance — she carries the entire show on her shoulders. But if you’re looking for something with clever twists, unpredictable storytelling, and lasting impact, you might want to look elsewhere.
Final Verdict
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✰ (4/10)
Suranne Jones deserves credit for making Hostage as watchable as it is, but the predictable plot and lack of truly memorable moments keep it from being a standout thriller. It’s fine for a weekend binge, but don’t expect it to leave a lasting impression.
