iHostage Movies (2025): A Tense Thriller Based on True Events

Netflix’s iHostage Movies  (2025) is a Dutch thriller inspired by the real-life Apple Store hostage crisis in Amsterdam in 2022. Directed by Bobby Boermans and written by Simon de Waal, the film attempts to recreate the tension of the standoff while offering a procedural look at law enforcement’s response.

The film follows Ammar Ajar (Soufiane Moussouli), a cybercriminal who storms into an Apple Store demanding over $200 million in cryptocurrency. As chaos unfolds, Ilian Petrov (Admir Šehović), a Bulgarian tourist, becomes his primary hostage. Negotiator Lynn Loes Haverkort leads the police effort to resolve the crisis, while employees hide customers in closets, hoping to evade detection.

iHostage takes a documentary-style approach, using real police tapes and factual details to maintain authenticity. The film avoids excessive dramatization, opting for a stark and procedural tone. While this realism adds credibility, it also limits emotional engagement, making the hostage situation feel more like a reenactment than a cinematic thriller.

The film’s strongest moments come from its depiction of the human toll of violence—silent fear in a concealed closet, tense negotiations, and the psychological strain of time passing. However, critics note that iHostage struggles to balance realism with compelling storytelling. The lack of music and dramatic buildup makes pivotal moments feel subdued rather than gripping. While the performances are solid, particularly Moussouli’s layered portrayal of Ammar, the characters remain underdeveloped, preventing deeper audience investment.