Latest news with #BobbyBoermans
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Terrifying Thriller Hits #2 on Netflix, and the Trailer Alone Is Giving Me Goosebumps
When I read that iHostage was #2 on Netflix, I immediately watched the trailer to see what the hype is all about, and guys, from the preview alone, it's no wonder everyone's tuning in for this Dutch thriller, because if the film is even half as suspenseful as the trailer, it will most definitely be a nail biter. And what's based on real events. Directed by Bobby Boermans and starring Soufiane Moussouli, Admir Sehovic and Emmanuel Ohene Boafo, iHostage is an edge-of-your-seat dramatization of areal-life 2022 hostage crisis at an Apple Store in Amsterdam (hence the cute "i" film title). According to Time, "On Feb. 22, 2022, a 27-year-old armed man entered the Apple Store in Leidseplein, Amsterdam, and held a customer at gunpoint for nearly five hours. He demanded €200 million in cryptocurrency and a safe exit from the building—but nothing went according to plan." The real-life event led to a heated national discussion on mental health services and public health systems. Netflix/Elmer van der Marel While the true story is its own harrowing tale, the film apparently unfolds from multiple perspectives—the hostage's, the assailant's, the hidden employees' and the police negotiators'—allowing viewers a 360-degree experience of the thrilling narrative. And, like I mentioned, if the trailer is any indication, make sure you're comfortable sitting on the edge of your you'll be glued there. Beyond the gripping plot, just as the real incident sparked a much-needed national debate, the film raises similar questions about societal pressures and mental health. I should also note that, since I watched the trailer in the U.S., Netflix automatically played it with English dubbing—a great feature, for sure, but I think watching with the actors' own voices is the way to go and makes it feel all the more suspenseful. My vote? Opt for subtitles. That said, I know what I'm watching this weekend, and I suggest you do too. You can stream iHostage on Netflix now. Intense Morgan Freeman Thriller Hits #6 on Netflix and the Trailer Alone Has My Adrenaline Pumping PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women's walking shoes that won't hurt your feet, we've got you covered.
Forbes
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Is Netflix's ‘iHostage' Based On A True Story? Inside The Real Apple Store Hostage Crisis
"iHostage" on Netflix. In Netflix's gripping new film iHostage, a Dutch man storms an Apple Store in Amsterdam and demands a ransom of over $200 million in crypto, setting off a tense, hours-long standoff as negotiators race to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Directed by Bobby Boermans and written by Simon de Waal, the thriller focuses on a Bulgarian man who finds himself in a life-or-death crisis after the gunman takes hostages inside the tech store. 'Through the eyes of the attacker, the hostages, and the first responders, iHostage delivers a tense and emotional tale of courage, survival, and the lasting impact of terror,' the synopsis reads. Currently, the No. 1 movie on Netflix in the U.S., iHostage is based on the terrifying real hostage crisis that shook Amsterdam in 2022. But how accurately does the film follow what actually happened? Here's what to know while you're watching, including the changes made for the screen and the fate of the gunman. Nederland, Katwijk, 13 maart 2024 Hostage Studio Apple Store foto: Elmer van der Marel Yes, iHostage is inspired by a real-life incident that occurred in February 2022, when 27-year-old Abdel Rahman Akkad took a Bulgarian man hostage inside an Apple Store in Leidseplein, Amsterdam. During the standoff, Akkad called the police, demanding €200 million in cryptocurrency (which was worth over US$226 million at that time) and a safe exit. While most customers managed to flee the store once the gunman opened fire, four others were trapped inside for hours, hiding in a cupboard, according to the BBC. As he held the 44-year-old Bulgarian man hostage, the assailant sent photos to local news media that appeared to show explosives strapped to his body. Police quickly arrived at the scene, where the gunman fired at least four shots in their direction. Fearing he was carrying explosives, authorities ordered a shelter-in-place for the surrounding area, per Boermans, who lives near the Apple Store where the crime took place, told TIME that 'hostage situations like this are scarce' in the Netherlands. "That's what made this incident bizarre. A man, demanding 200 million in cryptocurrency, chose to take a hostage in broad daylight on one of the busiest squares in Amsterdam.' "iHostage" on Netflix. After nearly five hours, Rahman Akkad asked for water. Police used a robot to deliver a bottle, and as the hostage walked toward the store entrance to retrieve it, he made a run for it and escaped. As the gunman chased after the fleeing hostage, a special unit vehicle accelerated and struck him. Though he was taken to a nearby hospital and initially survived, officials later confirmed he died from his injuries the following day. 'I can confirm that the man has died in hospital this evening,' Franklin Wattimena, an official from the public prosecution service, told The Guardian. 'More than that, we cannot say, but the investigation continues.' However, the way police apprehended the gunman became a point of controversy across the country. 'The hostage incident sparked intense public debate in the Netherlands, mainly because of the unconventional way the police brought the situation to an end—by using a car," Boermans said. The director continued, "It was a unique and highly decisive act of violence, the result of a split-second decision made by one of the special forces operators. A video of the final moments went viral almost immediately after, and the entire country began discussing it. Some people applauded the action, while others were more hesitant or conflicted about how it was handled.' In response, Boermans said the "entire country" began discussing it. "Some people applauded the action, while others were more hesitant or conflicted about how it was handled," Boermans told At the end of the film, it's revealed that, following a four-month investigation, the DSI (Department of Special Investigation) operator was found to have acted lawfully when striking the gunman. "iHostage" on Netflix. iHostage closely follows the real 2022 hostage situation that unfolded in Leidseplein, Amsterdam, but the director admitted to taking a few creative liberties. Among them was the decision to use fictional names for all the characters so 'they couldn't be traced back to the individual involved.' In the film, the man held hostage is named Ilian Petrov; however, he is a fictional character. He is inspired by a real Bulgarian man who was taken hostage that day, but his true identity remains unknown. At the time, Amsterdam police chief Frank Paauw said the man played a 'heroic role by forcing a breakthrough,' according to BBC. In real life, hundreds of people were involved in the standoff, but Boermans said the film centers on 'five main characters—each from a different background, each offering a unique perspective." 'While working on the script, we consciously focused solely on the night of the hostage situation," Boermans said. 'Of course, you have to condense time in any film, but most of the story beats you see on screen are based on things that actually happened.' The film's co-creator and writer, Simon de Waal, also works as a detective near where the incident occurred and spoke with sources close to the case to ensure the film was as accurate as possible. 'I was able to speak with people from the police force who were directly involved,' de Waal told Netflix's Tudum. 'I wanted to know if they agreed with how things were portrayed, how events actually unfolded, how things were said … I wanted to stay as close to the truth as possible.'' iHostage is streaming on Netflix. Watch the official trailer below.
Newsweek
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
How Netflix's iHostage Movie Differs from Real-Life Incident at Amersterdam Apple Store
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Dutch thriller iHostage, which premiered globally on Netflix on April 18, has rapidly climbed the platform's trending lists across multiple countries. Inspired by a real-life 2022 hostage crisis in Amsterdam, the film reenacts the tense standoff that unfolded at an Apple Store in the city's bustling Leidseplein Square. Directed by Bobby Boermans and written by Simon de Waal, iHostage was produced with significant input from sources close to the original case. The creators aimed to reflect the facts of the incident while changing names and dramatizing certain sequences. The film is performed in Dutch with English subtitles and has gained widespread attention for its realistic tone and gripping tension. Why It Matters iHostage debuted on April 18 and quickly broke into Netflix's Top 10 in several countries. The film's popularity has reignited public interest in the 2022 hostage event that briefly gripped the Netherlands and drew international attention for its dramatic conclusion. Netflix's Tudum site described the film as a "psychological thriller" where "a tech store becomes the backdrop for a harrowing hostage situation," with events unfolding largely from the perspective of the hostages. Police special intervention units and rescue workers are seen as the injured hostage taker is carried into an ambulance in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, where the armed person was holed up in the... Police special intervention units and rescue workers are seen as the injured hostage taker is carried into an ambulance in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, where the armed person was holed up in the Apple Store with at least one hostage in an hours-long standoff with scores of police massed outside. More Peter Dejong/AP Photos Is iHostage Based on a True Story? Yes. The real incident took place on February 22, 2022, when a 27-year-old man armed with an automatic weapon entered an Apple Store and took a Bulgarian tourist hostage. He demanded €200 million, or $227 million U.S. dollars, in cryptocurrency and safe passage, holding the victim for over five hours. Four other individuals hid in a storage closet throughout the ordeal. As The Indian Express reported, the standoff ended dramatically when the hostage made a run for safety and the suspect was struck by a police vehicle. He later died from his injuries, People reported. The story captured national attention in the Netherlands, where such incidents are rare, and now reaches a broader audience through its dramatized depiction on Netflix. What is True in Netflix's iHostage Movie? The movie iHostage remains largely faithful to the real 2022 Apple Store hostage crisis in Amsterdam, retaining core elements like the setting, the suspect's ransom demand in cryptocurrency, the duration of the standoff, and the resolution involving police intervention after the hostage fled. Accurate too is the presence of hidden hostages in a supply closet. What's dramatized includes character names, personal backstories, emotional interactions between hostages, and stylized negotiation scenes. While the film mirrors the timeline and tension, it introduces fictionalized dialogue and relationships to enhance psychological drama, diverging from the real event's more transactional and abrupt dynamics. "I was able to speak with people from the police force who were directly involved," de Waal told Netflix's Tudum. "I wanted to know if they agreed with how things were portrayed, how events actually unfolded, how things were said ... I wanted to stay as close to the truth as possible." Who is Abdel Rahman Akkad? The real-life suspect behind the Apple Store hostage crisis was identified by Dutch authorities as Abdel Rahman A., later publicly named in media reports as Abdel Rahman Akkad. He was a 27-year-old Dutch citizen with a criminal record, including a prior conviction for illegal firearm possession, according to Entertainment Weekly. Beyond his demand for cryptocurrency, Akkad's motivations remain unclear. A closing card in iHostage notes that the suspect's intent was never fully explained, according to Netflix's English subtitles. What People Are Saying Director Bobby Boermans told TIME: "Fortunately, hostage situations like this are scarce in the Netherlands. That's what made this incident bizarre. A man, demanding 200 million in cryptocurrency, chose to take a hostage in broad daylight on one of the busiest squares in Amsterdam." What's Next With its success on streaming charts, iHostage adds to Netflix's expanding roster of international thrillers inspired by headline-making events. The platform has not indicated whether sequels or similar Dutch-language adaptations are planned.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
This Dutch Thriller Is The Top Movie On Netflix Right Now
'iHostage' is currently the most popular movie on Netflix, according to the platform's public ranking system. The Dutch thriller premiered on the platform on April 18 and is based on true events that occurred at an Apple store in Amsterdam in 2022. Director Bobby Boermans lives near the scene of the actual incident and witnessed the news story as it unfolded at the time. The plot of the film mostly follows what occurred in real life ― an armed man enters the store, takes a customer hostage and threatens to blow up the building if he's not paid a massive sum of money. Read on for more trending movies of the moment across streaming services, including Hulu, Max, Disney+ and Peacock. And if you want to stay informed about all things streaming, subscribe to the Streamline newsletter. The most popular movie on Hulu right now is 'The Order,' a crime thriller based on the 1989 book 'The Silent Brotherhood: The Chilling Inside Story of America's Violent, Anti-Government Militia Movement.' Starring Jude Law, the film centers on an FBI agent pursuing a white supremacist terrorist group and its leader (played by Nicholas Hoult). 'The Order,' which had a limited theatrical release following its premiere at the 2024 Venice International Film Festival, also features Tye Sheridan, Jurnee Smollett, Alison Oliver and Marc Maron. 'Companion' is the most popular movie on Max at the moment. The sci-fi thriller joined the platform on April 18. Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid star as a couple on a trip with friends at a remote lake house, where the group quickly learns things are not as they seem. The 2025 'Wolf Man' reboot is now available to stream on Peacock following a theatrical release in January. Christopher Abbott plays a man trying to protect his wife (Julia Garner) and daughter (Matilda Firth) from a werewolf. The 1989 sci-fi hit 'The Abyss' joined Disney+ in updated 4K resolution on April 11. Directed by James Cameron, the film stars Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and Michael Biehn, and it follows a mission to recover a U.S. submarine after it sinks in the Caribbean Sea. 'The Abyss' won an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. Ryan Coogler's 'Sinners' Deserves The Hype — But 1 Thing Kept It From Being A Horror Masterpiece The New Season Of 'Boarders' Feels Especially Relevant Right Now These Political Thrillers Are Hitting A Little Too Close To Home
News18
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
iHostage Is Based On A True Story; Here's What Really Happened In Amsterdam
iHostage is based on a real-life incident that took place at an Apple Store in Amsterdam, where a man held a customer hostage for several hours. Netflix's latest true-crime thriller iHostage has become one of the popular movies since its release on April 18. The film is based on a real-life incident that took place at an Apple Store in Amsterdam where a man held a customer hostage for several hours. Directed by Bobby Boermans, the film captures the tension and chaos of that day. Boermans lives near the store where the event happened and recalls how surreal the experience was. In a conversation with TIME, he said, 'Fortunately, hostage situations like this are scarce in the Netherlands. That's what made this incident bizarre. A man, demanding 200 million in cryptocurrency, chose to take a hostage in broad daylight on one of the busiest squares in Amsterdam." On February 22, 2022, a man dressed in camouflage and armed with weapons entered the Apple Store at 5:30 PM. He took a 44-year-old Bulgarian man hostage while others in the store tried to hide. People in the upper floors of the building were also trapped, as the Apple Store was located on the ground floor. Police arrived within minutes and were fired upon by the gunman. Authorities feared he might be carrying explosives, so they locked down the area. Special forces, ambulances and emergency teams surrounded the location. Over the next few hours, nearly 70 people were evacuated from the building, including those hiding inside the store. During the standoff, the gunman demanded €200 million (over US$226 million at the time) in cryptocurrency and a safe escape. He also sent selfies and messages to the media, which began spreading on social media. At around 10:30 PM, after hours of negotiation, the police used a robot to deliver a bottle of water. When the hostage walked forward to get it, he suddenly made a run for it. The gunman chased him, but at that moment, a special police vehicle sped forward and struck the suspect. He was knocked unconscious. The police later confirmed the man was not carrying explosives. He was taken to a hospital but died the next day due to his injuries. The move to hit him with a car sparked debate across the Netherlands. As Boermans told TIME, 'Some people applauded the action, while others were more hesitant or conflicted." The suspect was later identified as Abdel Rahman Akkad, a local man with a criminal background and a history of mental health issues. Boermans mentioned that the movie follows the real timeline of that night. 'We consciously focused solely on the night of the hostage situation," he explained. While some elements like dialogue and names were changed, most of the events shown in the film are based on reality. 'We focused on five main characters—each from a different background, each offering a unique perspective," he added. Boermans hopes iHostage starts a conversation about mental health. 'Many well-meaning, everyday citizens are falling through the cracks, often due to financial difficulties or mental health challenges, and are being overlooked by our public health services," he said. iHostage is currently streaming on Netflix. First Published:
