“Hostage”: Netflix’s epic political thriller divides the British press

Launched on Netflix on August 21, the miniseries Hostage unfolds a political and diplomatic imbroglio featuring French President Vivienne Toussaint, played by Julie Delpy, opposite Suranne Jones as British Prime Minister Abigail Dalton. And “five hours of brilliant, well-paced entertainment spanning the globe,” acclaims The Guardian . But five hours “sprinkled with script absurdities that are very hard to swallow,” objects The Daily Telegraph . This shows how critical reviews across the Channel are divided over the incredible storyline of this thriller, created and written by British writer Matt Charman.

It all begins with the French head of state's visit to London, in the midst of her re-election campaign. She is attempting to negotiate particularly tough immigration agreements, while her British counterpart, whose country is in the grip of a drug shortage and political turmoil, is attempting to negotiate pharmaceutical supplies with France.

But things quickly accelerate: the Prime Minister's husband is taken hostage in French Guiana, where he was on assignment for Doctors Without Borders. The countdown begins to rescue the NGO team and uncover the identity of these kidnappers, who will quickly destabilize the United Kingdom on its own soil.

So yes, many things "do not make any sense", according to the Telegraph, starting with this idea that " the French would be the only suppliers of drugs likely to come to the rescue of our suffering NHS" (the public health service of the United Kingdom), or even this "somewhat strange picture" which is painted of the British political system, whose parties and currents remain very nebulous.

However, the Guardian does not hide its pleasure in the far-fetched nature of the plot, and especially in the duo of protagonists: “Jones is Abigail Dalton, a pragmatic politician (in the good sense of the term, not in the Thatcher way) who became Prime Minister; Julie Delpy is Vivienne Toussaint, an icy president and outstanding strategist.”

Carried away by the adventures, each one crazier than the last, the newspaper applauds “ an exciting, captivating and captivating story, which offers two women of a certain age the rare opportunity to portray real characters and not just symbols.”

Which The Independent , more measuredly, concedes. Praising particularly brilliant actresses, notably Delpy, “who steals the show when it comes to exuding a mysterious charm and a regal coldness (she is French after all).”

And in 2025, it remains enjoyable “to watch these chic women parade through the corridors of power, dressed in impeccably cut coats and suits, perfectly embodying these two heads of state who exchange icy smiles and handshakes in front of the cameras, each trying to dominate the other”. A pleasure slightly spoiled, however, by a “sometimes implausible plot”, particularly with regard to the flagrant lack of security around 10 Downing Street, the Prime Minister’s residence.

So, is the series still worth a watch? Well, “if you don’t bat an eyelid at the slightest improbability, then Hostage will undoubtedly entertain you and get your adrenaline pumping,” the Telegraph judges.