Watch The Captive

The Captive is a 2014 thriller film directed by Atom Egoyan and starring Ryan Reynolds, Scott Speedman, Rosario Dawson, Mireille Enos, and Melody Jones. The film tells the story of a couple, Matthew (Reynolds) and Tina (Enos), who are devastated when their daughter, Cassandra, is abducted from their car while they're stopped at a traffic light. Eight years later, new information comes to light, and it becomes clear that Cassandra is still alive and being held captive by an unidentified person.

The film takes place eight years after the abduction, and we see Matthew and Tina's lives have been shattered by the incident. They've separated, and Matthew is now dating Cass' babysitter, Nicole (Dawson). Tina is consumed by guilt and has become a drug addict. In fact, it's while she's getting high that a new lead comes to light that could finally lead to Cassandra's release.

We're then introduced to a group of detectives who are working on the case, including Nicole, who is now a member of law enforcement. It becomes clear that Cassandra is being held and is being used as a pawn by a sophisticated and complex network of criminals who are selling children to pedophiles around the world.

The film moves back and forth in time as we see how Cassandra's abductor grooms and ultimately captures her, and we also see how the detectives work tirelessly to crack the case. We also see how Matthew, Tina, and their family have been affected over the years since the abduction.

One of the most compelling aspects of the film is the way it explores the impact of trauma on individuals and families. It's clear that Matthew and Tina are still haunted by the incident and have been unable to move on with their lives. Tina's drug addiction is a direct result of the guilt she feels about not being able to protect her daughter, and Matthew is consumed by the fear that he'll never see Cass again.

The cinematography in The Captive is stunning, with Egoyan using dark, moody lighting to suggest the terror of being held captive. The scenes of Cassandra being held are especially tense, with the camera often moving in close to her as she tries to figure out how to escape. The contrast between these scenes and the shots of the detectives working to find her are stark, and it makes the film an intense and harrowing experience.

Overall, The Captive is a compelling thriller with great performances from Jones and the rest of the cast. Egoyan navigates the complex narrative with ease, and the film's commentary on the impact of trauma is both poignant and thought-provoking. While it's not an easy film to watch, it's definitely one that will stay with you long after the credits roll.