The film unfolds with all the heart-stopping suspense of a true-crime expose that sheds light on the twisted policies of Kim Jong-il's strange and secretive nation.
The filmmakers have loftier goals, though, and in the end their existential tabloid style justifies itself. Abduction isn't about what happened, but about the painful introspection that is sparked by not knowing.
75
New York PostV.A. Musetto
New York PostV.A. Musetto
Abduction uses interviews, vintage photos and re-creations to tell the sad story of love and hope in riveting, suspenseful style. So powerful is this film, it brought tears to my eyes.
75
New York Daily NewsJack Mathews
New York Daily NewsJack Mathews
Spellbinding.
70
VarietyJoe Leydon
VarietyJoe Leydon
Looks, sounds and fascinates like an exceptional episode of a true-crime TV series.
70
Village Voice
Village Voice
Despite its structure, Abduction sheds light on the disturbing politics North Korea deploys to simultaneously intimidate the world and guard itself from attack.
Abduction sheds light onto one of the strangest episodes in recent Asian history, but the murk that hangs over North Korea is still too deep for much light to penetrate.
70
The Hollywood ReporterFrank Scheck
The Hollywood ReporterFrank Scheck
The dramatic story is related here in a somewhat diffuse and scattershot fashion that reduces some of its impact. But there is no denying its emotional resonance.
This is a fascinating, underreported piece of recent world history, but Patty Kim and Chris Sheridan's documentary Abduction: The Megumi Yokota Story doesn't do it full justice.