Wincott crafts a vulnerable kidnapper in Soneji, whose main concern is to impress Cross with his warped actions, best displayed in the relationship with the young son of the Russian president (Anton Yelchin). The plot skids out of control towards the film's climax, presenting situations and explanations that disturbed minds wouldn't accept, even with the unfaltering performance of Morgan Freeman.

Director Lee Tamahoshi (Once Were Warriors) has some creative spurts in the film's opening credits, and some cat and mouse chase scenes between Cross and Soneji guarantee some breath holds, but overall Hollywood stereotypes prevail