Kidnap

A mother wakes to a nightmare when her young son is abducted as she races to a school drop-off. Karla Dyson refuses to wait for official help, mounting a one-woman pursuit that turns a quiet suburban drive into a dangerous stakeout. She commandeers a minivan, threads through traffic, and follows a trail of clues that lead her to unfamiliar places and unpredictable stakes. With every mile, she pushes past fear and fatigue, trusting instinct over procedure. The chase unfolds across crowded highways and quiet neighborhoods, testing her resolve and her willingness to bend the rules as she fights to bring Frankie home. The pursuit roams into night streets, gas stations, and packed lanes, with close calls heightening the danger.

Directed by Luis Prieto, Kidnap stems from an original screenplay by Knate Gwaltney. The 2017 thriller stars Halle Berry as Karla Dyson and Sage Correa as Frankie, with Chris McGinn, Lew Temple, and Jason George in supporting roles.

The film grossed about 30.7 million worldwide on a 21 million budget, yielding a modest but solid return for a mid-range action thriller led by a marquee star. Audiences responded to Berry's commitment and the film's straightforward, urban chase.

Kidnap did not become a lasting cultural moment, but it fits into the late 2010s run of lean practical thrillers led by strong female leads. Its compact runtime helps it stay accessible to casual viewers. Its most memorable note is the relentless pursuit by a parent, a tense cat and mouse on real streets that feel grounded in everyday life.

Critics offered a mixed reception, praising Berry for delivering focus and stamina in a high pressure setup, while some questioned plausibility and conventional chase mechanics. Core themes include maternal devotion, the costs of quick decisions, and the pressure to protect family, no matter the risk, which keeps the narrative tight.