Netflix drops ihostage, viewers say it’s just a really dramatic Apple ad

iHostage was released globally on Netflix on April 18, 2025. It's an adaptation of the actual 2022 hostage crisis that took place at an Apple Store located at Amsterdam's Leidseplein. It's told through the eyes of the hostages, police, and the gunman.

The film was supposed to be an intense thriller, but numerous viewers and a few critics believe it fell short. Rather than intense or suspenseful, they declare, it was more like an extended Apple commercial.

A review by The Reel Bits even joked that films need to get rid of the "i" in their titles, as in Apple products.

The film is set in an Apple Store, which is understandable since it's a true story. But from the police to the technology, everything in the film flaunts Apple so much that it feels like watching an advertisement.

Individuals also complained that the characters weren't very deep and the plot had a very simple formula.

Due to this, numerous observers began creating jokes and memes, referring to it as a long Apple commercial rather than an actual suspenseful film.

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Netflix’s iHostage gets roasted for feeling like an extended Apple promo

Never has anything been roasted this roastily. All the roasts in the world took a deep breath at this roast. A user says:

"Netflix's iHostage. No need to say anything it's 0/10. Better to have this as a documentary and not a movie 😑"

Another user @HritishParasar added:

"Dear Netflix, Please add a “Do Not Recommend” button for movies like #IHostage. Sincerely, everyone who watched it!"

Although adding a "do not recommend" button would be fantastic for Netflix, the fact that it has been asked for this specific film is a burn-in in and of itself. After all, how uninteresting can something be?

A user @OtigaAlih decalred:

"so ihostage on netflix is basically an extended ad for apple and her products?"

Of course, users think this was a lengthy Apple commercial. If that is the case, they could have simply reserved it for a future product launch.

A user @Ushld_loveme simply said:

"This movie #iHostage was pointless."

There was a point, though, if you look closely: we all need to purchase an Apple device.

One user @15TeeJay stated:

"Movie iHostage on Netflix, don’t waste your time! 2/10 for effort 🤦🏽‍♂️🥴"

People are officially taking a break from their lives and warning others not to squander their time by watching this on Netflix. The best they can do is give 2 out of 10 for the "effort."

A user @EHartTweets humorously noted:

"#iHostage on Netflix is a 1/10 movie but a 7/10 commercial for Apple products."

The rating game is totally on. People are genuinely rating it, stating that while they might give the entire film a score of one out of ten, it's a strong seven for an Apple ad.

Tim Cook, are you seeing this? This is how you make an Apple ad. Please take notes.

A user @JaredStillman stated:

"I just watched iHostage on Netflix. Holy smokes that movie was horrendous. That movie is the opposite of The Godfather."

If you have a negative opinion of a film, how would you characterize it? Users claim that it is the complete opposite of The Godfather.

Have you ever encountered something that people have badmouthed so much that you genuinely want to see it? That would be it.

Don't believe everything on the internet, though. If you are curious about it, you actually need to say it to form your own opinion, or in case you want to buy an Apple product.

Also, read: Hailee Steinfeld in 'Sinners' has social media obsessed — best memes so far