Netflix’s Hostage Review: Political Thriller With Soapy Drama

A High-Stakes Story of Power and Survival

Empires often collapse faster than expected, and Netflix’s new limited series Hostage — created by Matt Charman (Bridge of Spies) — explores this fragility through politics, power, and sacrifice. The series follows two women leaders as they navigate a global crisis that collides with their personal lives, political careers, and the very nations they lead.

Fast-paced yet layered with melodrama, Hostage is a mix of political intrigue, family drama, and impossible choices that keeps audiences hooked across five episodes.

The Plot: Crisis in London and Beyond

The show begins in present-day London, where newly elected Prime Minister Abigail Dalton (Suranne Jones) faces two urgent challenges:

• A crumbling UK economy after drastic cuts to the military budget.

• A devastating healthcare supply shortage, leaving pharmacies empty and vulnerable citizens without life-saving medicines.

Amid this chaos, Dalton presses ahead with an Anglo-French Summit, hoping to build an alliance with French President Vivienne Toussaint (Julie Delpy). But negotiations collapse when Dalton learns that her husband, Dr. Alex Anderson (Ashley Thomas), has been kidnapped in French Guiana along with his medical team.

The kidnappers make a shocking demand: Dalton must resign as Prime Minister if she wants her husband released.

Power, Politics, and Betrayal

Instead of solidarity, Dalton finds Toussaint exploiting the crisis for political gain. The French leader — a far-right hardliner — prefers quid pro quo deals over compassion, forcing Dalton into an impossible position.

As secrets unravel, it becomes clear this isn’t just about a hostage situation — it’s part of a larger conspiracy tied to Dalton’s political past and Toussaint’s hidden vulnerabilities.

The show highlights how women in power are often judged more harshly, facing sexism, mistrust, and ruthless opposition at every turn.

Performances and Themes

Suranne Jones and Julie Delpy deliver magnetic performances, embodying leaders torn between duty and family. Their on-screen chemistry fuels the show’s tension, especially as their ambitions collide.

However, Hostage doesn’t avoid melodrama. Some plot twists feel overly dramatic — such as Alex traveling without any security detail — while the central villain isn’t fully fleshed out. Despite these flaws, the emotional weight of Dalton’s conflict with her teenage daughter, Sylvie (Isobel Akuwudike), adds raw depth.

Episode 4: The Showstopper

The penultimate episode is the series’ standout moment. Under public pressure, Dalton and Toussaint reflect on why they entered politics and how far they’re willing to go to hold power. It’s a reminder that in politics, endings are rarely predictable, and unexpected turns can reshape everything.

Final Verdict

While Hostage occasionally leans into soap opera drama and far-fetched scenarios, it succeeds as a gripping political thriller. It reveals the fragility of democracy, the corruption of power, and how personal sacrifice collides with national duty.

If you enjoy political suspense with strong female leads and high emotional stakes, Hostage is a must-watch.

📺 Hostage is now streaming on Netflix.