The Entitled (2011)
Film · Thriller, Crime
Stream it, ifif you enjoy mid-budget, high-stakes kidnapping thrillers with a cynical edge regarding class and family loyalty.
A lean kidnapping thriller that focuses on the breakdown of a "perfect" plan as desperation takes over. It is a standard, efficient genre piece for those who want a quick dose of suspense and moral gray areas.
What it is about
Without the security of the job he wants or the future he dreamed of, Paul Dynan plans the perfect crime to help his struggling family – abduct the socialite children of three wealthy men and collect a ransom of $3-million dollars. Over the course of one long night, Paul and his accomplices hold the rich kids hostage awaiting the ransom with little idea of the secrets that will surface between the fathers when they are forced to choose between their children and their money.
Trailer
What The Entitled is like, and who it is for
What it is like to watch
Watching this film is a brisk, claustrophobic experience that thrives on escalating tension within a single, high-stakes night. The pace is efficient, moving quickly from the initial abduction to the breakdown of trust between the conspirators. It maintains a grounded, gritty atmosphere, focusing on the cold logistics of the crime and the growing desperation of those involved. The intensity stems from the psychological friction between the hostages and their captors.
Who it is for, and who should skip it
This is a solid choice for fans of contained crime dramas who appreciate seeing morally ambiguous characters pushed to their limits. However, those looking for grand action set-pieces or deep emotional resonance may find it somewhat slight. It is a lean genre exercise that prioritises plot mechanics over character growth. One caveat is that the cynicism of the wealthy fathers can make the narrative feel particularly bleak and cold-hearted.
The right evening for it
It suits a quiet weeknight when you want a straightforward, suspenseful story that does not demand too much intellectual heavy lifting. It is best enjoyed when you are in the mood for a dark, efficient thriller.
Written by our AI from the facts on this page. It has opinions; it has not watched it.
How The Entitled leaves you
One line on the mood it ends on, with no plot. Some people count that as a spoiler, so it stays hidden until you ask.
Expect to come away feeling slightly cynical about human nature and the corrupting influence of wealth. It leaves a lingering chill, focused on how quickly family bonds can fray under financial pressure.
How The Entitled ends
Spoilers. The whole ending, in a few lines. Nothing shows until you ask and then confirm.
After the money is transferred, Paul instructs Dean to release the hostages. Frustrated, Dean shoots Nick, only to discover the gun is loaded with blanks. While the children escape, Nick strangles Jenna in self-defence, but she survives the initial struggle. Dean later finds the injured Jenna at the gas station and kills her in a fit of rage. Paul arrives, kills Dean, and stages the scene to look like a suicide, framing his two accomplices for the entire crime.
The film ends with Paul posing as a victim at Clifford's house, where he is revealed to be the driver's son. Although Hailey is startled when she sees Paul's face, neither she nor Nick can identify him because they never heard his voice during the abduction. Paul successfully leaves the scene with his father as the police investigate the gas station, his involvement remaining undetected by the authorities and the other families.
Summarised by our AI from the plot section of the Wikipedia article, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. This summary is shared under the same licence.
Stills
Images from TMDB.
If you like this, try
Alpha Dog (2006)
a kidnapping plot involving privileged youth that spirals out of control
The Disappearance of Alice Creed (2009)
the same tense, minimalist focus on a kidnapping gone wrong
Suggested by our AI for what they share with this one. Linked titles have a page here; the rest are worth a search on the browse page.
The Entitled soundtrack
Music by Robert Duncan
The Entitled (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Robert Duncan · 2012 · 20 tracks
Listen on Apple Music- 1Opening Titles
- 2Dynan's Theme
- 3Setting Up
- 4The Shooting
- 5Foreclosure
- 6Pursuit
- 7You're On Your Own
- 8Drive-Up
- 9Inside Job
- 10With a Bang
Album and songs from Apple Music.
Questions people ask
- Is The Entitled a tense film?
- Yes. On Watchlist Boosted it is tagged Tense. A lean kidnapping thriller that focuses on the breakdown of a "perfect" plan as desperation takes over. It is a standard, efficient genre piece for those who want a quick dose of suspense and moral gray areas.
- How long is The Entitled?
- The Entitled runs 91 min and was released in 2011.
- Where can I watch The Entitled in Australia?
- In Australia it is not included with any subscription service at the moment. JustWatch lists rental and purchase options.
- Who composed the music for The Entitled?
- The music for The Entitled is by Robert Duncan. The soundtrack album, The Entitled (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), has 20 tracks.
- What songs are on the The Entitled soundtrack?
- The Entitled (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) has 20 tracks, including “Opening Titles”, “Dynan's Theme”, “Setting Up”, “The Shooting” and “Foreclosure”, and more. It is on Apple Music.
- Is The Entitled worth watching?
- It depends: if you enjoy mid-budget, high-stakes kidnapping thrillers with a cynical edge regarding class and family loyalty. IMDb users rate it 6.1 out of 10 from 6,927 votes and TMDB users 6.2.
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