Captive

“Captive” is a movie based on a real-life story from 2005. Ashley Smith (Kate Mara) is taken hostage in her apartment by Brian Nichols (David Oyelowo), a prisoner who killed several people to escape from jail. Though Brian is aggressive and controlling towards Ashley, at first, he eventually calms down, and Ashley reads him some passages from the The Purpose Driven Life, a book by Rick Warren. In response, Brian starts thinking about his life. But can he find any value to his life to prompt him to abort his escape from the authorities and face a life in prison?

This movie tells an uplifting story about God giving meaning to our lives, and how, without His power, we can be trapped in various problems. In the beginning of the movie, Ashley is a meth addict, and she describes how she cannot break the addiction, even though every time she caves into to temptation she thinks it will be the last time. Brian says that he has a demon. If that is true, it would explain his compulsive violence. While trapped in her apartment, Ashley prays to God for help, and the movie comes to a redemptive conclusion.

A relevant passage from the Bible is Romans 8:28 (NIV),

“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.”

Another passage, Romans 10:11, states that those who trust in God will not be put to shame. The Bible shows that, regardless of what is happening to us now, by trusting in God, our life will not come to a shameful end, because God can work all things toward a positive goal.

While “Captive” is an inspiring movie, it is for mature audiences. Despite the PG-13 rating, I really feel the movie is too intense for young teenagers, due to the violence. However, for adults, I consider this movie to be a good demonstration of how God’s redemptive message impacts the lives of real people.

Objectionable Content

Violence: When Brian escapes from prison, a brutal beating and several shootings are shown on-screen. Blood and gore are mild. Brian repeatedly demonstrates aggression toward Ashley by physically holding her still, and he ties her up twice.

Drug Content: several scenes of inhaling meth powder

Sexual Content: several mentions of Brian being guilty of rape / Brian is shown taking a shower once, but only his head and upper chest are visible.

Language: one irreverent exclamation (“God”) / two or three mild obscenities such as “damn” and “cr*p”

Violence: Heavy / Profanity: Mild / Sex/Nudity: Mild

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.