Watch Kidnapping Mr. Heineken

Kidnapping Mr. Heineken is a thrilling crime drama film released in 2015. The movie is based on a true story about the abduction of the Dutch beer magnate Alfred Heineken, played by Sir Anthony Hopkins. The film follows the journey of five Dutch friends who plan on kidnapping Heineken and holding him for ransom. The movie begins with the five friends – Cor Van Hout (Jim Sturgess), Willem Holleeder (Sam Worthington), Jan Boellaard (Ryan Kwanten), Frans Meijer (Mark van Eeuwen), and Martin Erkamps (Thomas Cocquerel) – who are unemployed and frustrated with their lives. They come up with a plan to kidnap Heineken, the CEO of Heineken Brewery, and demand a ransom of 35 million Dutch guilders, which is the largest ransom ever requested.

The plan looks simple and straightforward: they would follow Heineken, ambush him and his driver on their way to the brewery, kidnap him and keep him captive in a soundproof warehouse until they get the ransom. However, the execution of the plan turned out to be more complicated and dangerous than they expected.

The story shows how the kidnappers plotted their move and rehearsed their plan. They even went as far as sourcing for weapons from the black market and building a soundproof room where Heineken will be kept. But as they initiated their plan, they soon realize that holding onto their hostage is harder than they thought.

They encounter unforeseen difficulties along the way, like money running out, threats from the police, and infighting amongst themselves. The Dutch authorities and Interpol race against time to rescue Heineken before it's too late, while the kidnappers' morale and determination dwindle as the days drag on.

Cor Van Hout played by Jim Sturgess is the ringleader of the group. He is a mastermind who plans everything down to the smallest detail. Sam Worthington plays Willem Holleeder, who is the most volatile of the group, constantly challenging Van Hout for leadership. They have a complex relationship that adds tension to the storyline. Ryan Kwanten is Jan Boellaard, who is the most efficient of the group and controls the finances. Frans Meijer and Martin Erkamps are both young and reckless members of the gang who add to the chaos.

The film is visually stunning, set against the backdrop of Amsterdam in the early 1980s, the city where Heineken becomes a beloved icon of the country's culture. The movie showcases some of Amsterdam's iconic locations, like the Heineken Brewery, and captures the fashion, cars, and music of the time accurately.

The kidnappers' desperation rises as the authorities continue to close in on them, leading Van Hout and Holleeder to make a series of unsettling decisions to keep their hostage and ransom payment. This conflict sets the stage for the thrilling final act of the film, which sees the authorities closing in on the kidnappers and an intense negotiation for Heineken's release.

Kidnapping Mr. Heineken is a well-acted and thrilling crime drama that manages to keep the audience engaged throughout the film. It's a beautifully crafted piece of cinema that delivers a satisfying blend of action, crime, and suspense. The movie also explores themes of power, loyalty, greed, and betrayal that will keep you at the edge of your seat.

All in all, Kidnapping Mr. Heineken is a must-watch thriller that will appeal to fans of true crime stories, thriller and action movies alike. It's a tense, well-crafted film that manages to capture the true story's complexities, intrigue, and emotional gravity with grace and intensity.

Kidnapping Mr. Heineken is a 2015 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1 and a MetaScore of 33.