🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Roland Joffé
- Genre: Crime, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
- Release year: 2007
- Runtime (length): 1h 36min
- IMDb rating: 4.6/10 (24K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 11%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A famous model gets kidnapped and has to solve escape room puzzles designed by a creepy guy with mommy issues, but then it turns out her fellow captive is *also* a creepy guy with mommy issues… it’s a Mommy Issue-Palooza!
🍿 Captivity: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Abduction
Jennifer Tree, a famous fashion model, is living a glamorous life in New York City. After attending a charity event, she’s drugged and abducted, waking up in a cell designed to mimic her bedroom. It quickly becomes apparent that she’s been taken by a twisted individual with sadistic intentions.

Psychological Torture
Jennifer is subjected to various psychological tortures designed to break her spirit. She’s forced to watch disturbing videos of past victims and confronted with her own public image. The tormentor plays on her fears and forces her to make horrifying choices, pushing her to the brink of madness.

Finding an Ally
Jennifer discovers that she’s not alone; a man named Gary is held captive in the adjacent cell. They communicate through the walls and devise a plan to escape. Their bond strengthens as they navigate the torturous environment, offering each other support and hope in a desperate situation.

The Escape Attempt
Jennifer and Gary manage to escape their cells and navigate the underground maze where they’re held. They encounter the captor in a brutal confrontation, leading to a desperate fight for survival. However, their escape is short-lived as Jennifer is drugged once again, setting the stage for a shocking revelation.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Jennifer Tree (Elisha Cuthbert): A famous model who is kidnapped and subjected to horrific torture, forcing her to fight for survival and uncover the truth behind her abduction.
- Gary Dexter (Daniel Gillies): Initially appearing as a fellow captive, he is revealed to be one of the twisted masterminds behind Jennifer’s imprisonment and torture.
- Ben Dexter (Pruitt Taylor Vince): Gary’s older brother and the primary captor, Ben is a disturbed individual with a dark past who orchestrates the sadistic experiments.
- Det. Bettiger (Michael Harney): One of the detectives investigating Jennifer’s disappearance, who ultimately becomes a victim of the Dexter brothers’ deception.
- Det. Ray Di Santos (Laz Alonso): Another detective investigating Jennifer’s disappearance alongside Bettiger, eventually falling prey to the Dexter brothers.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Ben: “Another night of hero sex?” – Ben makes a sarcastic remark to Gary, hinting at the twisted nature of their experiment and their manipulation of the captives.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $17,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $2,626,800
- Worldwide Gross: $10,921,200
💥 Captivity Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so Captivity isn’t winning any Oscars, but I was still on the edge of my seat! Elisha Cuthbert really sells the fear and confusion. I found myself yelling at the screen, telling her what to do. Sure, the twist is a bit predictable, but the whole ‘torture porn’ thing wasn’t as bad as I expected. The part with the blended smoothie? Yeah, that got me. It’s a decent popcorn flick for a dark night.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of psychological thrillers”
- “Viewers interested in survival horror movies”
- “Those who appreciate films with twists and turns”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Graphic violence and torture”
- “Psychological torment”
- “Mature themes and disturbing content”
Professional Reviews
- OC Weekly: “Captivity is a gleefully nasty piece of red meat for horror hounds that delivers as promised. Roland Joffe makes things visually interesting and aurally unsettling, and the story from B-movie maestro Larry Cohen keeps it simple: Girl needs to escape, but bad sh*t keeps happening.
- N/A: “Captivity pushes it to the limit, delivering violence and blood that will surprise viewers. Though symbolism may be strange, its a movie that entertains. It doesn’t shy away from gore, making it a decent watch for those that appreciate real horror.
- N/A: “Roland Joffe actually re-teaches his audience that fear is especially caused by suggestion and the absence of explicit images. Captivity is the first intelligent horror film in years, completely relying on atmosphere and eerie set pieces.
Audience Reactions
Captivity is a solid B-movie endeavor that is fun, kind of stupid at times, with pretty good acting.: Viewers appreciated Elisha Cuthbert’s performance and the psychological aspects of the thriller.
Some viewers have reported that, despite the movies flaws, the ending blew their mind.: Viewers liked the characters and said that the plot was smoothly played out.
Overall Consensus: Captivity is a horror film that garners mixed reviews, but contains high suspense and a few original twists.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “A large part of the film was filmed in Russia, where nearly the whole crew spoke only Russian.”
- “Elisha Cuthbert mentioned that only a handful of the cast were from the US and formed a tight-knit group since they spoke no Russian.”
- “Much of the gore was edited out to get an R-rating in the United States and also for the UK release. The Spanish release is uncut.”
- “Due to negative reactions, the initial marketing campaign featuring graphic posters was pulled, and reshoots were done to increase the gore content.”
🖥️ How to Watch Captivity?
As of today, October 26, 2023, ‘Captivity’ is available for purchase or rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on cable providers’ on-demand services as well.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Captivity, you might like these similar films:
- Saw (2004): Both movies involve elaborate traps and psychological torment orchestrated by a twisted captor.
- Hostel (2005): Features graphic violence and the theme of wealthy individuals paying to torture victims.
- The Collector (2009): An individual becomes trapped while attempting to commit robbery, only to discover the house has been elaborately rigged with traps by a sadistic killer.
- Cell 211 (2009): Thematic Similar: Focuses on survival within a confined, hostile environment where trust becomes a critical element.
🛒 Captivity Related Products
- Captivity [Blu-ray]: Experience the chilling intensity of Captivity in high definition. The Blu-ray edition includes bonus features such as behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the cast and crew, providing deeper insights into the making of the film.
- Captivity Movie Poster: Own a piece of the movie with this Captivity poster. This high-quality print captures the essence of the film, making it an ideal addition to any horror movie enthusiast’s collection.
- Elisha Cuthbert Signed Photo: A rare collectible featuring an autographed photo of Elisha Cuthbert, the lead actress in Captivity. This is a must-have for fans of the actress and the film.
🎧 Soundtrack
Captivity features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
No, ‘Captivity’ is a work of fiction, although it draws inspiration from the horror and thriller genres. It’s not based on any specific true events.
The movie ‘Captivity’ was directed by Roland Joffé.
The film faced controversy due to its marketing campaign, which featured graphic images that were deemed too violent and exploitative, leading to the removal of some advertisements.
🔥 Bonus Content
A Psycho Kidnapped Her But She Soon Discovered There Was Another Maniac in the Room | Horror Recaps
Ever wonder what *really* happened in that movie ‘Captivity’? This recap breaks it down in under 10 minutes – perfect if you want the gist without all the gory details, or if you want to be sure you really understood what you watched!
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