'Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart' has recently arrived on Netflix, bringing the interviews of the activist's family members on screen. Let's see if the new film deserves a watch.
From Amy Bradley is Missing to Conversations with a Killer: The Son of Sam Tapes, Netflix has attracted huge viewership by bringing real stories of criminals, scams, and those individuals who were targeted in certain incidents. Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart is the latest entry in the list of documentaries released by the streaming platform on January 21, 2025, featuring the experience of the famous child safety activist who was discovered by the cops nine months after her abduction in 2002 by Brian David Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee.
The new film focuses on the circumstances leading to Elizabeth Smart’s rescue. It’s not that the story hasn't been covered elsewhere in the past. Even a few other TV shows have addressed the theme on a few occasions. But what works for the Netflix film is how the makers have managed to convey the trauma of those people who suffered a lot during the incident. The producers have ensured that not a single detail of the case is missed, which makes it more authentic and easier for viewers to connect with the individuals on screen.
The documentary starts with on-screen texts sharing the basic details of the case, including that Elizabeth Smart’s sister, Mary Katherine, was the witness to the abduction. The real-life characters are slowly introduced, with Mary Katherine recalling the incident and the relationship she shared with her sister as she becomes emotional on screen. The background music and visuals specifically play an important role here, making viewers curious about the details that would be revealed as the film progresses.
For the unversed, Mary Katherine is not the only family member appearing in Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart. Elizabeth’s father, Ed, also speaks on camera, and although Elizabeth’s mother, Lois, has refused to give an interview, viewers can easily understand what she has gone through. There are multiple moments where audiences would feel for the family members, including the time when Mary says that she was paralyzed.
Viewers are even forced to question public opinion in such matters when Ed claims in a sequence that he was a “possible suspect” in the case. Elizabeth opening up about the kidnapping at one point in the documentary is expected to make anyone feel frightened for some time, as she recalls how the man on the night of the kidnapping in 2002 told her that he had a knife to her neck. The bond between the two sisters will also make viewers emotional as Elizabeth describes Katherine as her hero who saved her.
With a crisp runtime of 91 minutes, it is common for any filmmaker to possibly avoid sharing some information or make a few things shorter. However, Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart does not compromise in this matter. There are on-camera interviews taken in the past, where, as a child, Mary Katherine questions why someone kidnapped her sister. The audio recordings of calls made to the police, news clippings, and the reimagining of certain moments make it an engaging watch where no one would like to take a break.
What are your thoughts about Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart, if you have watched it on Netflix? Let us know.
Also Read: Who Is Matthew Gilmour? All About Elizabeth Smart's Life, Husband, And Family After Her Ordeal