Nearly 25 years after Elizabeth Smart was abducted from her bedroom in the middle of the night, a new Netflix documentary gives her the chance to tell her side of the story, and viewers are captivated.
The film currently boasts a rare and perfect score. 100% on Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer.
Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smarta new 91-minute documentary feature that hit Netflix on January 21st, has wowed critics since its debut. The film allows Elizabeth to tell her horrifying ordeal in her own words, features exclusive interviews with Smart and her story, and provides new details about the incident that shook the nation.
On June 5, 2002, Smart, then just 14, was abducted at gunpoint from the bedroom of his Salt Lake City home, along with his 9-year-old sister Mary Katherine, with whom he was sharing a bedroom.
Over the next few months, various sightings of Smart were reported as police and the public tried to track her down. As the months passed, the public began to lose hope that Smart would ever be found, but her family remained vigilant. Eventually, even Mary Catherine recognized the male voice in the bedroom as the one who had worked on the Smart family’s home.
After a nine-month search, Smart was finally found. Her abductors were identified as self-proclaimed prophet Brian David Mitchell and his wife Wanda Barzee, who spent months abusing and threatening Smart.
In addition to interviews with the detectives who persisted in finding Smart, a frighteningly compelling account is provided by the victim herself, now a 38-year-old wife and mother of three who has dedicated her life to advocating for the safety of children. Especially in her decision to reclaim her story and reshape it.
What are the critics talking about? Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart?
“It’s clear that the denial of shame is her main message, and is probably a big part of why she’s participating in this documentary.” guardianLucy Mangan of wrote about the film. “The way she holds a strong account of herself, explains the emotional impact and extraordinary suffering of extreme horror at the hands of a violent man (and his accomplice Wanda Barzee), and holds Mitchell back accountable for what he did and felt entitled to do is impressive and definitely uplifting.”
new york timesglenn kenny was similarly impressed by Smart’s resilience, saying, “Her on-camera testimony is shocking. Recalling the assault by one of her kidnappers, she tells viewers that she had the belief that ‘if I could hold her back long enough, someone would help me.'” It’s heartbreaking. But her resilience and frankly surprising humor also comes through. The fact that her life has returned to normal since the ordeal and she is now married and has children adds another dimension to her miracle. ”
Brian David Mitchell was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Barzee was released in September 2018 after completing a 15-year sentence. She currently lives in Salt Lake City.
This story was first published men’s journal First appeared on February 2, 2026. entertainment section. Add men’s journal Click here to select your preferred source.