Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart Review – A Harrowing Yet Inspiring True Crime Documentary
Netflix has ushered in the new year with another gripping true crime offering, Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart. This documentary delves into one of the most high-profile abduction cases in recent memory, focusing on Elizabeth Smart, who was taken from her bedroom at knifepoint at the age of 14 and endured nine months of sexual abuse. Now a dedicated child safety activist, Smart uses this platform to powerfully rail against the shame often imposed on survivors, making her frankness truly inspiring.
The Evolution of True Crime on Streaming Platforms
Since the genre was popularised by Netflix back in 2015 with Making a Murderer, which chronicled the wrongful conviction of Steven Avery, true crime documentaries have evolved significantly. That landmark series took a decade to produce, but today, content moves at a faster pace, often favouring stories that are more palatable to mass audiences. These narratives frequently centre on victims' survival and the rightful conviction of perpetrators, catering to voyeuristic appetites and a proxy lust for vengeance without delving too deeply into systemic legal inadequacies or law enforcement corruption.
Nevertheless, this modern approach has shed light on astonishing untold stories of forgotten victims, providing a stark measure of the depraved depths to which individuals, predominantly men, can sink. While it is too early to confirm, Kidnapped may signal another shift towards easier delivery for producers and consumers, though it is crucial to remember the survivors and loved ones who bravely share their painful experiences.
Recounting a Terrifying Ordeal
The 90-minute film efficiently covers the harrowing events of 2002, when Elizabeth Smart was abducted from her Salt Lake City home while her terrified younger sister, Mary Katherine, watched helplessly. Held captive for nine months by Brian David Mitchell, a self-styled preacher, Smart was raped virtually daily and threatened with death if she attempted escape. The documentary features poignant footage of her close-knit Mormon community rallying to support the search, with posters plastered across the area and extensive police efforts underway.
We see her father, Ed Smart, breaking down in tears during press conferences, and hear from police and Mary Katherine about the challenges of relying on fragmented information from a frightened nine-year-old as their only leads. As the investigation progressed, the family faced additional scrutiny, with police investigating them as possible suspects—a standard procedure that nonetheless strained their support network. Media speculation further fuelled doubts, exacerbating their frustration when authorities seemed to overlook key leads, such as Mary Katherine's recollection of where she first heard the kidnapper's voice.
A Family's Determination and a Survivor's Resilience
Defying police advice, the Smarts took matters into their own hands, publicising the name and sketch portrait of Brian David Mitchell, a homeless man they had previously encountered. Mitchell, who went by the alias Immanuel David Isaiah, was eventually identified as the abductor, having been spotted locally with Elizabeth, both masked and clad in long white robes. Shockingly, an officer had questioned them but backed off when Mitchell claimed it was against their beliefs for a woman to speak to him, highlighting the complexities of the case.
Now 38 years old, Elizabeth Smart speaks with remarkable candour about her experiences, never shying away from terms like rape or shame, which were intensified by her religious upbringing. She recounts the first rape, where she naively believed lying on her stomach might prevent it, only to wake up shackled after passing out from the pain. This marked the beginning of a nine-month ordeal that she describes in vivid detail, emphasising her disavowal of shame as a central message and a key reason for participating in the documentary.
Justice Served and a Lasting Impact
The documentary also covers the lengthy legal battle, which took nearly a decade to reach trial due to Mitchell's attempts to be declared mentally unfit. Elizabeth recalls feeling that the process was rigged against me, but she persevered, and in 2011, Mitchell was found guilty of kidnapping and transporting a minor across state lines for sexual activity, receiving a life sentence without parole. Her resilience and advocacy for survivors' rights shine through, making this film not just a true crime story but a testament to human strength.
While it is best not to overanalyse true crime documentaries as therapy for countless survivors, or dwell on the endless supply of such content, Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart stands out for its uplifting and empowering narrative. It is currently available for streaming on Netflix, offering a compelling look at a dark chapter turned into a beacon of hope and activism.
