Girl in the Shed : The Kidnapping of Abby Hernandez (2022) (Review)

Another true story about kidnapping. It ties in directly with “3096 Days“, about the kidnapping of Natascha Kampusch. It’s the closest story, it seems to me. Then there’s the excellent “The Captive” with Ryan Reynolds. We can also think of so many other films like “Split” with Anya Taylor-Joy or “10 Cloverfield Lane” with Mary Elizabeth Winstead, both of which were complete failures, but with fabulous actresses.  The recent “Fresh” is also a film about this, and the list goes on: Kiss The Girls (1997); Trapped (2002); Pet (2016); and Room (2015).

Not all these films are necessarily mainstream. Some are worth seeing, others should be avoided. Some are truly traumatic, others just striking. Girl in the Shed: The Kidnapping of Abby Hernandez is a TV movie that has absolutely nothing to do with TV. The direction is impeccable, and the acting is very strong indeed. Lindsay Navarro, who plays Abby, expressed how emotionally and physically taxing it was to play such a role. Ben Savage, who plays the kidnapper, Nathaniel “Nate” Kibby, also had to carry a lot on his shoulders with such an interpretation. You’ve got to be able to handle it afterwards. The mother, played by Erica Durance as Zenya Hernandez, is extremely touching. Playing a mother who loses sight of her child overnight and descends into a descent into hell also requires talent. 

As for the officers, they’re perfect with their slap-happy faces. Surprisingly, this kind of film always shows the uselessness of these professions. You always get the impression that these inspectors and policemen are just waiting for time to pass, waiting for clues to fall from the sky. And yet, if you’ve chosen such a profession, it’s not to remain detached. Obviously, this is a wide-ranging debate that can’t be summed up in a film review. Getting too involved would also destroy your health. The reality and the truth is that, even today, we’re still helpless. We have no idea how to track down a kidnapper, despite technological advances. We also know that if everyone is under constant surveillance, there will be abuses – always by the authorities, of course! And the lack of freedom will also be disruptive. It can’t be healthy. Great film ! Abby Hernandez, herself, was one of the three executive producers.