The Stolen Girl
Elisa’s (Denise Gough) worst nightmares are realised in Disney+ miniseries The Stolen Girl when her young daughter Lucia (Beatrice Campbell) is abducted while having a sleepover with a new girl from school. It’s an attention-grabbing premise, which immediately raises many questions, most of which are laid out in the opening episode. The most pivotal of all being who this seemingly friendly parent (Holiday Grainger) really is, and whether she could be involved with Elisa’s lawyer husband Fred (Jim Sturgess). Meanwhile, plucky journalist Selma (Ambika Mod) uncovers unexpected secrets about Elisa’s past while investigating the case. The result is a largely entertaining but mostly forgettable outing that’s ideal for a weekend binge.
Told over the course of five 40-minute episodes, this adaptation of Alex Dahl’s Playdate is a tightly paced outing that doesn’t waste any time getting to the point. It’s brisk pacing quickly sweeps viewers up within its various plot beats, which continue to build upon the growing mystery through a combination of revelations and flashbacks. As more is learned, the show divides its time between England and France as Elisa and the abductor’s paths head for a collision course.
For as many twists as the script throws at audiences, none of them are especially surprising. This is a show that expects viewers to come along for the ride without thinking too much about what’s going on as plot points are raised and dropped without much consideration, such as when Fred is incarcerated only to be released without consequence. Attempts at critiquing sensationalism within the media are likewise handled with a general sense of indifference. While a scene where Elisa is ambushed by insensitive questions during a radio interview draw attention to the issue, this angle isn’t expanded upon to add any depth to the character’s plight.
Gough and her co-stars generally give commendable performances throughout each of the five episodes, with Mod being a consistently likeable highlight. However, there are more than a handful of moments where wooden acting dampens the scene’s drama. When the dust settles after a tense climax, an underwhelming conclusion also leaves the series feeling incomplete.
Although its narrative could have benefited from some extra tightening, its snappy delivery and compelling central mystery are enough for viewers to want to see The Stolen Girl through to the end.
Andrew Murray
The Stolen Girl is released on Disney+ on 16th April 2025.
Watch the trailer for The Stolen Girl here:
https://youtu.be/MPZOU0YRhSY?si=ANGQuqcXvY6C8M8E
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