Netflix’s iHostage: Why Viewers Are Obsessed Despite Lousy Reviews!

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Viewers are thoroughly engrossed by the latest Dutch mystery series, iHostage. The streaming service has seen great success with its international offerings, as numerous recent productions have garnered massive popularity even amidst negative critiques.

The Dutch thriller called “iHostage” made its debut on Netflix on April 18. This show revolves around a man who storms into an Apple Store armed with a gun and takes both customers and staff members hostage after firing shots. Following its premiere, “iHostage” seized the charts’ control, not just domestically but worldwide, as reported.

During the span from April 16th to the 22nd, I was thrilled to see my movie, iHostage, climb to the top spot on the non-English box office charts. It gathered an impressive 15.1 million views and was watched for a total of 25.7 million hours. In just one week, it managed to break into the top 10 in a staggering 92 countries, and astonishingly, it became the number one film in no less than 31 of these nations, including the United States.

Although it was released over Easter weekend, iHostage managed to outperform other popular shows that had substantial viewership as well, but fell short of claiming the number one spot. The biblically-themed movie amassed a total of 8.5 million views and 17.1 million hours watched, ultimately landing in second place.

Although iHostage has garnered quite a following, it hasn’t managed to gather enough critical acclaim on Rotten Tomatoes. At this moment, there are only four reviews available. Two of these are positive, commending the “edge-of-your-seat suspense” and labeling it as a “solid thriller,” while the other two criticize the movie for being lacking in tension.

Nevertheless, the movie garnered a dismal 22% rating from viewers on the Popcornmeter. Critics pointed out that it lacked a surprising turn of events and found it dull.

What Is the True Story of iHostage?

The Dutch thriller, drawing inspiration from real-life events, is set against the backdrop of a 2022 hostage crisis at an Apple Store in Amsterdam, the capital city of the Netherlands. In this chilling tale, a 27-year-old individual invades the store, demanding a colossal ransom in cryptocurrency – a staggering €200 million and safe passage out of the store upon fulfillment of his demand.

Director Bobby Boermans explained, “It’s fortunate that incidents like this, where a hostage is taken for 200 million in cryptocurrency, are rare in the Netherlands. This case, which occurred in broad daylight on one of Amsterdam’s busiest squares, was certainly strange.

During the crisis, Boermans was wrapping up his work on the project, when a neighbor’s message about the unfolding situation reached him. Later, he drove past the location post-incident, and was astonished by the surprising tranquility that followed the turmoil.

According to the director, only the bullet marks in the glass were left behind, a peculiar sight that lingered in his memory. It was this strange contrast between the tranquility following the chaos that intrigued him. He found himself pondering: what had transpired during those five harrowing hours? It’s astonishing that all the hostages emerged unscathed. Notably, there was a profound symbolism associated with the location itself – a renowned company like Apple, characterized by its pristine, serene environments. A bastion of sleek design and tranquility… it transformed into a stage for something truly dreadful, both within and without.

iHostage is streaming on Netflix.

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2025-04-23 21:05