TAKEN: NATALEE HOLLOWAY: Episodes 1.1.-1.3

Yes, but know what you're getting into. This three-part true crime docuseries dives into this famous case and, decades later, finally answers what happened to Natalee Holloway. The episodes offer an informative overview of the case, featuring interviews with Holloway's friends, family, and experts, along with never-before-seen footage of an FBI operation involving her killer, Johan van der Sloot.

Justice is a key theme throughout, specifically Holloway's mother Beth's tireless efforts to uncover the truth about her daughter and bring a killer to justice. Additionally, the series highlights moral themes, such as the kindness of strangers, as the Aruban community offers time and support in the search for Holloway, volunteers, and provides help.

Christian moments appear throughout the series, with Holloway's friends mentioning "prayer vigils" after her disappearance and Beth recalling a moment of prayer, where she placed her trust in God to care for Natalee after her death.

There are some instances of foul language, as well as descriptions of violence, sexual activity, and alcohol use. There is also some immorality, such as van der Sloot's continuous lies about what really happened that night, and discussions of people gambling. Parents should use discernment before watching with teens, and it's a hard pass for children and teens.

In 2008, 18-year-old Natalee Holloway disappeared while on vacation in Aruba. This kicked off her mother Beth’s tireless efforts to find out what really happened to her daughter, from urging the Aruban police to work harder to find Natalee to working alongside the FBI to bring her daughter’s suspected killer, Joran van der Sloot, to justice. This three-part docuseries covers the twenty years between Holloway’s disappearance and now, finally answering the question: what happened to Natalee Holloway?

Four stars for a captivating docuseries that true crime fans will enjoy. The episodes deliver informative content, waste no runtime on extraneous information, and cover the facts of the case clearly and quickly.

The second and third episodes dive into aspects of the case many people might overlook, such as the efforts to secure a confession from Joran van der Sloot, as well as his later murder of a Peruvian woman that led to his confession about murdering Holloway.

The series includes interesting, heartfelt interviews with Holloway's friends and family, as well as experts on the case. A standout part of the series includes never-before-seen footage of an FBI operation used to secure Van der Sloot's conviction for wire fraud. True crime fans will appreciate the exclusive footage, which offers fresh insight into this widely publicized case.

A strong moral worldview with some Christian elements drive this series. It honors the pursuit of truth and justice and condemns deceit and cruelty. Holloway’s mother, Beth, drives the story. She will stop at nothing to learn the truth and bring van der Sloot to justice. The series also praises kindness, as many Arubans dropped everything to help search the island for Holloway.

Faith carries real weight in the story. Holloway’s friends recall attending prayer vigils after she disappeared. Beth recounts praying at a row of white crosses on a hill in Aruba. She says she “cr[ied] out for God to give [Holloway] back,” then found peace when she decided she “was going to trust [God] to take care of” her daughter after her death.

Some foul language and many descriptions of violence pop up, including kicking a person and smashing her head with a cinder block. Van der Sloot describes kissing and touching Holloway and admits he kept going after she told him to stop. There are discussions of Holloway and her friends drinking, video footage of Van der Sloot smoking a cigarette, and mentions of gambling at casinos.

The series clearly condemns van der Sloot’s behavior. He lies repeatedly about Holloway’s fate and shows no apparent remorse for the women he murdered. The message is clear: lies eventually come to light, and a mother’s faith can hold firm when justice is slow. As Luke 8:17 says, “For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed” (NIV).

TAKEN: NATALEE HOLLOWAY is a gripping docuseries that takes a fresh look at a famous case and finally answers the question that haunted her family for nearly two decades: what happened to Natalee Holloway? The series has a strong moral worldview with Christian elements, and it honors a mother’s relentless pursuit of the truth and her trust in God. However, foul language, disturbing descriptions of violence and sexual activity, alcohol use and other immorality mean kids and teens sit this one out.