Netflix's 'iHostage' drama retells Amsterdam Apple Store's fatal standoff

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AppleInsiderAppleInsider
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in General Discussion edited April 13

The 2022 hostage situation at an Apple Store in Amsterdam has been turned into a Netflix drama, with "iHostage" exploring the events of the five-hour standoff.

Person in camouflage jacket speaks into a phone, holding a wired device, with another person standing behind, in a store with phones on display.
iHostage - Image Credit: Netflix



A trailer for the Netflix crime drama "iHostage" on YouTube teases the upcoming release of the film on the streaming service. While Netflix often releases films and shows based on real events, "iHostage" is unusual as it's set in an Apple Store.

The film is inspired by the real-life hostage situation that occurred in February 2022. A man walked into an Apple Store and took a hostage at gunpoint, resulting in a tense standoff between the man and police.

Later reports

claimed the attacker wanted $230 million in cryptocurrency.

In the ensuing hours, the perpetrator fired shots at police, and there were reports he was also carrying explosives, which were later found to be not armed.

The standoff ended when the hostage took an opportunity to escape, running away on foot. The hostage taker attempted to run after him, but was run over by a police vehicle, and later died in hospital.

Police said approximately 70 people were rescued from the Apple Store, including four who hid in a closet.

The Netflix adaptation takes a number of perspectives, including from the perpetrator, the hostages, and the emergency services. In the film, much like the real-life event, a Bulgarian man is caught up by the armed assailant.

The film is directed by Bobby Boermans, written by Simon de Waal, and produced by Horizon Film. It will be available globally on Netflix on April 18.



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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 5
    lam92103lam92103 Posts: 153member
    Needs a better name tbh. iHostage is soo 2002 now
    amadeus_haronnbraydendcooper
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  • Reply 2 of 5
    ravnorodomravnorodom Posts: 734member
    The iHostage title is hilarious. You know it has to do with Apple. Maybe Netflix should do iThief or iCrime series for other Apple related crime stories.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 3 of 5
    SiTimesitime Posts: 31member
    lam92103 said:
    Needs a better name tbh. iHostage is soo 2002 now
    I was thinking just that as well. Referring to things as “iSomething” is quite dated. Maybe they can change the name to “Hostage+”. But even “Something+” is getting a little dated. However, it’s about an event in 2022, so the “+” is would probably be fine for the time period.

    Another option could have been: Hostage Pro Max with Apple Intelligence*

    *beta, some features may not be available in all regions or languages
    edited April 14
    braydendcooper
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  • Reply 4 of 5
    michelb76michelb76 Posts: 737member
    Can't believe they're milking this. 
    ronn
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 5 of 5
    randominternetpersonrandominternetperson Posts: 3,189member

    In the ensuing hours, the perpetrator fired shots at police, and there were reports he was also carrying explosives, which were later found to be not armed.
    The standoff ended when the hostage took an opportunity to escape, running away on foot. The hostage taker attempted to run after him, but was run over by a police vehicle, and later died in hospital.

    Spoiler alert.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
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