Netflix's #1 TV Series Is the Most Addictive Political Thriller of 2025
Hostage has been at the top of Netflix for a week now for a reason – it's a must-see for all fans of political thrillers, and here's why.
On August 21, Netflix released Hostage, a British miniseries in the political thriller genre – it has been at the top of the platform for a week.
Hostage is the most gripping thriller I've watched this year. In just five episodes, it delivers a well-thought-out, tangled story full of plot twists.
What Is 'Hostage' About?
Abigail Dalton was recently elected Prime Minister of Great Britain. The country is experiencing a medicine shortage – even the most essential drugs have disappeared.
Abigail turns to French President Vivienne Toussaint for help. At the London summit, they must agree on a plan to supply medicine in exchange for help solving the refugee crisis.
However, during a medical mission in French Guiana, the British Prime Minister's husband is kidnapped. The terrorists demand that Abigail leave her post as payment for his release.
'Hostage' Is Full of Twists and Turns That Will Keep You Hooked Until the Finale
Hostage is one of those series for which it is best to have minimal prior knowledge – the project's main advantage is its constant plot twists.
At first, it seems that the story will focus solely on the main character's attempts to balance political decisions with her efforts to save her husband. However, the balance of power changes two or three times per episode, and new characters constantly appear.
The project's creator, Matt Charman, who previously wrote Steven Spielberg's Bridge of Spies, doesn't let the viewer off the hook – the events only gain momentum and don't stop until the very end.
'Hostage' Breaks the Conventions of the Political Thriller Genre
The undoubted advantage of Hostage is that it offers a different take on political thrillers than what many viewers are accustomed to. This unusual approach explains the significant discrepancy in critics' and viewers' assessments.
In political thrillers, the characters are often soldiers or secret service agents who save everyone by neutralizing the villains. However, Charman's project shifts the focus from action and tough guys to drama and moral choices.
What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Hostage'?
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Hostage has 81% from critics and 44% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
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On IMDb, the miniseries has a score of 6.5/10.
