The Stolen Girl review: This Disney+ and Hulu psychological thriller delivers gripping tension and strong lead performances, particularly from Denise Gough and Holliday Grainger. While some elements stretch plausibility, the emotional core and unique “why-done-it” structure keep it compelling throughout.
The Stolen Girl (Disney+ / Hulu) – Review
The Stolen Girl is a gripping psychological thriller that sets itself apart with two powerhouse performances: Denise Gough as Elisa, the grieving mother, and Holliday Grainger as the enigmatic woman who abducts her daughter. Their emotional range, tension-filled interactions, and quiet desperation anchor the show and elevate the material beyond its genre tropes.
Unlike a traditional whodunit, The Stolen Girl is structured as a “why-done-it.” From the outset, the audience knows who’s taken the child — the intrigue lies in uncovering the reasons behind it. The pacing is tight, and the editing is exceptional, sustaining tension without ever feeling melodramatic.
However, the show isn’t without its flaws. Certain plot elements stretch credibility, particularly in the latter episodes where the story moves into an off-grid alternative community. For those unfamiliar with such spaces, the depiction may feel miscast or overly stylised. The final act does require a little artistic license from the viewer.
That said, the central themes — motherhood, judgment, guilt, and the emotional complexity of female characters — are well-explored. If you can forgive the plausibility issues, The Stolen Girl is a highly watchable, emotionally resonant series that’s likely to satisfy most thriller fans.
Synopsis The Stolen Girl
The Stolen Girl is a five-part psychological thriller that follows Elisa Blix, a mother whose nine-year-old daughter, Lucia, vanishes after a sleepover. As Elisa and her husband Fred grapple with the abduction, they become entangled in a complex web of secrets and lies, uncovering unsettling truths about those closest to them. The series delves into themes of motherhood, trauma, and the lengths to which individuals will go to protect their loved ones.
Original Channel and Premiere Date
- Premiered on April 16, 2025, on Freeform in the United States.
- Available for streaming on Disney+ in the United Kingdom.
Key Creatives
- Writer: Catherine Moulton (adapted from Alex Dahl’s novel Playdate)
- Director: Eva Husson
- Production Companies: Quay Street Productions and Brightstar
Top 5 Cast Members
- Denise Gough as Elisa Blix
- Andor
- Under the Banner of Heaven
- Holliday Grainger as Rebecca Walsh/Nina Thibault
- Strike
- The Capture
- Jim Sturgess as Fred Blix
- Cloud Atlas
- One Day
- Ambika Mod as Selma Desai
- One Day
- This Is Going to Hurt
- Bronagh Waugh as DI Shona Sinclair
- The Fall
- The Suspect
Next Episode Info
As of April 22, 2025, all five episodes of The Stolen Girl have been released. The series is a miniseries with no additional episodes scheduled.
