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Hostage
2005 113 min Germany, United States of America R 16+
★6.0
Action, Thriller, Crime
Director: Florent-Emilio Siri
🎭 Based on
«Hostage»
byRobert Crais
Trailers
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Description
When a mafia accountant is taken hostage on his beat, a police officer – wracked by guilt from a prior stint as a negotiator – must negotiate the standoff, even as his own family is held captive by the mob.
Budget:
$52M
US Gross:
$34.64M
Worldwide:
$77.94M
Starring
Bruce Willis
Actor
Kevin Pollak
Actor
Serena Scott Thomas
Actor
Awards
4 nominations total
Key opinion
Hostage is generally regarded as an intense and emotionally resonant thriller, elevated significantly by a standout, chilling performance from Ben Foster. While opinions on the film's narrative structure and Bruce Willis's performance are divided, it is widely praised by genre fans for its ability to balance high-stakes action with genuine dramatic tension.
| Acting | Ben Foster delivers a chilling and standout performance as the sociopathic antagonist that serves as the film's highlight. | |
| Acting | Bruce Willis gives a compelling, earnest portrayal of a traumatized negotiator, though some viewers find his emotional delivery uneven. | |
| Screenplay | The plot benefits from a clever, multi-layered premise involving a hidden DVD and dual hostage situations, though some critics argue the execution feels contrived or formulaic. | |
| Emotion | The film creates a palpable, dark atmosphere and maintains tension effectively for many, while others feel the thriller elements are undermined by a lack of genuine terror. | |
| Direction | The direction by Florent-Emilio Siri is often viewed as technically proficient and kinetic, but some critics find it lacks a unique or distinctive artistic vision. | |
| Ending | The finale divides viewers, with some finding it a moving conclusion to the drama, while others perceive it as a weak, overstretched shift into generic action. |