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Hoax: The Kidnapping of Sherri Papini – Just Another TV Movie?

Hey everyone, I recently gave Hoax: The Kidnapping of Sherri Papini a watch, and let’s be honest, I wasn’t exactly expecting a cinematic masterpiece. This movie, based on a real-life case, dives into the strange disappearance and return of Sherri Papini. With “based on a true story” flashing on screen, I thought, “Alright, here we go again with another TV drama cashing in on some headline-grabbing tale.”

Based On Real Life?

If you haven’t followed the real-life drama, here’s the gist: In 2016, Sherri Papini went missing while jogging, only to reappear weeks later with an incredible story of being kidnapped and tortured by two women. The film attempts to bring this baffling case to life, starting with Sherri’s disappearance and leading us through the twists and turns of her alleged abduction and eventual return. I never followed this case, but to see it on screen like this, makes it hard to believe that someone would be that terrible at coming up with a believable story. For Sherri's sake, I hope the movie embellished it.


Image by Pennlive

Surprising Performance For A TV Movie

For what looked like your typical made-for-TV fare, the acting wasn’t half bad. Jaime King, playing Sherri, actually managed to sell the initial horror and drama of her character’s ordeal pretty convincingly. For a while, you can’t help but feel a bit sorry for her. She’s got the emotional breakdowns and the frantic victim act down pat. But as the story unravels, so does Sherri’s façade, and you start to see there’s more (or less) to her than meets the eye.

Image by Oregonlive

Writing...Is...Par For Movies Today 

When it comes to the script and production, Hoax delivers exactly what you’d expect from a TV movie – no more, no less. The production values are adequate. The cinematography and set design won’t blow you away, but they do the job well enough to keep the story moving. The script starts off engaging, drawing you into Sherri’s life and her supposed nightmare. You’re pulled into her world, somewhat feeling her frustration and confusion within her life.

But as the plot thickens, the script reveals Sherri’s increasingly questionable behavior. The film makes a decent attempt at shifting your perception, making you see her not just as a victim but as someone who might not be so innocent after all. It gets the point across without any real surprises or risks. I have to give them a bit off a pass though; "based on real events" still has to be based on real events after all.


Image by IMDb

The Verdict

So, where does that leave us? Hoax: The Kidnapping of Sherri Papini is a decent enough watch if you’re in the mood for something that doesn’t require too much investment. It’s a standard TV movie with a decent story, but it doesn’t quite elevate beyond that. The acting holds it together, and the script does enough to keep you interested, even if it’s not breaking new ground.

Overall, I’d give it a 5 out of 10. It’s a solid way to pass a couple of hours if you’re curious about the Sherri Papini case or just looking for some light drama. But don’t go in expecting to be blown away.

Pros:
- Better-than-expected acting, especially from Jaime King
- The narrative effectively shifts your sympathy as the story unfolds
- Based on a real-life case, which adds a layer of intrigue

Cons:

- Production quality is typical for a TV movie – nothing special
- The script is engaging but doesn’t push any boundaries
- The film doesn’t offer any big surprises or deep insights


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