Channel 4 has added the Slovak political thriller 'Ultimatum' to its Walter Presents streaming collection, offering eight episodes of what critics describe as 'exceptional' drama. The series, directed by Michal Kollar, follows a kidnapper who takes control of a hospital floor with personal and political demands.
The plot centres on negotiator Dano, whose partner Lenka is among the hostages. Lenka is pregnant and unwell, raising the stakes. The country's defence minister is also targeted, while a European leaders' summit takes place nearby. The kidnapper is revealed to be a grieving former soldier seeking answers about a military plane crash that killed his son.
Released in 2022, the series stars Ján Koleník, Milan Bahúl and Ester Geislerová. On the Czech-Slovak film database ČSFD, user Ostravak30 called it 'exceptional by Czech and Slovak standards'. Another user, Amonasr, gave it four stars, comparing it favourably to Western productions but noting 'barely believable action scenes and surprising twists'.
However, some viewers felt the 60-minute episodes were too long. User stage.x commented: 'Four episodes would have been more bearable. I suffered like a beast from that drawn-out, overcombined boredom.'
'Ultimatum' joins other Walter Presents recommendations such as German crime drama 'Nordic Murders', Norwegian drama 'Ammo', and French mystery 'The Eclipse'. Coming up on the streamer is season 3 of Italian period drama 'Inspector Ricciardi', available from 22 May.
