Saagar Kote
Paramount+’s ‘Girl Taken’ revolves around the challenges faced by Lily Riser, a teenage girl who is kidnapped and held in a basement by someone she trusts. Lily is a free-spirited individual who lives with her twin sister, Abby, and their mother, Eve. Despite the occasional sibling feuds between Lily and Abby, they share a deep bond. When Lily is kidnapped by their English teacher, Rick Hansen, the lives of the family members turn upside down. Rick keeps her in an isolated basement and abuses her mentally and physically.
As Abby and Eve desperately look for answers, Lily remains without hope. However, when the local police start to investigate Lily’s disappearance, new angles emerge that could potentially contain dangerous revelations. Developed by David Turpin, the thriller drama series is a nuanced and engaging take on trauma, liberty, toxic masculinity, and the broader psychological aspects of stalking and kidnapping. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Girl Taken Captures the Flavor of Hollie Overton’s Engrossing Novel
Written by David Turpin, Suzanne Cowie, and Nessa Muthy, ‘Girl Taken’ is a deep and haunting meditation on trauma, narrated through the experiences of Lily and her family. The series is based on Hollie Overton’s novel ‘Baby Doll,’ which paints a vivid picture of a teenage girl’s life. The fictional book focuses on the experiences of Lily Riser, who is abducted by her trusted teacher, Rick Hanson. She is held against her will in a single room and abused for a few years. This causes her extreme trauma while also struggling to find any hope. Things take a turn when she gets the opportunity to escape, due to a mistake made by Rick. She escapes bravely and reunites with her mother, Eve, and her sister Abby. The central focus of the novel is on the aftermath of Lily’s escape and its impact on her and her family.
Lily strives to bring Rick to justice, with the support of her sister and mother. One of the other elements that adds a layer of complexity to the plot is Sky, Lily’s daughter, who was born during her captivity. Lily’s relationship with her daughter, whom she has raised in captivity, becomes a major point in her character arc. The rest of the story sheds light on Lily’s efforts to assist the police in capturing and filing charges against Rick. With Rick facing an arrest, layers of Lily’s psychological complexities come to the limelight. The show’s plot remains almost entirely faithful to the novel. The series adheres to the names of the characters, setting, and themes of the novel meaningfully.
However, there are subtle differences that provide a distinct experience for the show’s viewers. The series employs cinematic techniques and liberties to heighten the plot’s intensity. The questions surrounding the birth of Lily’s child play a major role in the show. One of the striking similarities between the series and the novel is the use of the term “Baby Doll,” which is how Rick addresses Lily. All in all, ‘Girl Taken’ is a faithful and creative adaptation of ‘Baby Doll,’ which adds a cinematic flavor to the tale.
Girl Taken is a Commentary on the Multiple Faces of Trauma
‘Girl Taken’ primarily focuses on Lily’s trauma and the impact it has on her family members. Although fictional, it reflects profound emotions and complex psychological issues. One of the most significant parts of the show is its relentless narration through Lily’s perspective. It doesn’t rely solely on the kidnap plot for shock value. Instead, it narrates how isolation and abuse can lead to trauma. Lily’s character is not portrayed as a helpless victim alone, but also as a free-spirited girl who hopes to fight difficult battles. In an interview with Novelpro Junkie, Hollie Overton opined that certain ideas in the novel were based on her own experience as a twin.
The author also mentioned a case in the US where a person named Ariel Castro had kidnapped three girls and held them against their will for a decade. This case inspired the author to develop the ideas for the novel. She stated, “There are many stories about abductions, but what struck me personally was imagining how devastating it would have been for me and my own twin sister to be separated like that, and how profoundly it would have changed both of our lives.” The show effectively captures the theme of trauma through Lily and Abby’s strained relationship following the kidnapping. Similar to the novel, Abby blames herself for the incident, which has a profound emotional impact on her. In the show, trauma is not viewed as a simple case of fear, but rather as a lived reality.
In an interview with TechRadar, Alfie Allen, who portrays Rick Hansen in the show, discussed the show’s message. He said, “I think that ‘Girl Taken’ has a really great take on the victim’s perspective and their stories. There is a real sense of kind of realism in it, which is totally by brought by the twins’ performances.” Ultimately, the series respects the victim’s perspectives, which adds to the grounded nature of the narrative.
Girl Taken is a Poignant Navigation of Complex Familial Bonds
‘Girl Taken,’ despite being an imaginary story, is a deeply relevant story of a family in crisis. It navigates the mother-daughter and sibling relationships through multiple perspectives. Be it Lily, Abby, or Eve, they don’t seem caricaturish characters as they add depth to the already layered storyline. The world of the show feels real and spooky, with a sense of looming dread always lurking in the background. Although it is a story of kidnapping, the core of the show is about familial relationships. The narrative provides emotional depth to Abby and Eve’s characters, just as it does for Lily. They are not seen as helpless victims, but as a strong group of people who have the courage to fight for justice.
In an interview with Stardust Magazine, Delphi Evans, who portrays Abby Riser in the show, divulged that the relationship between Lily and Abby in the show undergoes shifts after Lily’s kidnapping. She said, “Even though our story differs from the book, the core elements of the family relationships and the psychological aspect remain, so having it as a reference point was extremely helpful and important in getting to the heart of the story we wanted to tell.”
The psychological challenges that Lily and her family face are also the most haunting parts of the show, which is largely full of thrills. Amidst the adrenaline-fueled moments, the core emotional impact of the narrative lies in the difficult conversations between Lily, Abby, and Eve. The characters feel realistic as they navigate various challenges throughout the story. In conclusion, ‘Girl Taken’ is a relevant and grounded narrative that poignantly highlights psychological realities.
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