Kidnap Series Review: Need Ransom Money to Finish This

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

Honestly, I was pretty excited about this series when GMMTV dropped the trailer. It stars the talented Ohm Pawat Chittsawangdee, a firecracker of an actor whose previous works, like the highly entertaining 2022 rom-com Bad Buddy, showcased his impressive range. The chemistry between the leads in Bad Buddy was its strongest suit, so naturally, I had high hopes for Kidnap. From the trailer, it promised to be a crime-focused romance with just a hint of comedy. But instead of delivering a fast-paced, intense crime-romance, Kidnap ends up being a cold, muddled show that leans comedic without actually being funny. This tonal confusion—it’s neither serious enough nor an all-out laugh fest—makes Kidnap a tough watch. If you can recalibrate your expectations, you might enjoy it a lot more than I did.

Directed by Noom Attaporn Teemarkorn (Midnight Museum, The Messenger), Kidnap spans 12 episodes and follows Ohm Pawat as Min, a stuntman drowning in debt who needs money to pay for his younger brother’s (Ohm Thipakorn Thitathan) hefty medical bills. Desperate and out of options, Min agrees to kidnap “Q” Harit Yuenyongwisut (Leng Thanaphon U-sinsap), the son of a top cop, on behalf of criminals seeking revenge against the honest officer. However, when Min is ordered to kill Q—a line he refuses to cross—he fakes Q’s death and hides him in his house, planning to collect his payment and sort things out. But as the two spend more time together, they begin to fall in love, complicating matters further.

Despite his acting skills and a convincing physique, Ohm feels miscast as the stuntman-turned-kidnapper Min due to his boyish demeanor and soft, childlike voice. That said, Min’s character as an older brother and a hardworking young man is undeniably likable. On the other hand, while Leng Thanaphon U-sinsap—a new actor who might remind some viewers of PP Krit Amnuaydechkorn from I Told Sunset About You—is undeniably good-looking, he comes across as wooden and awkward in several scenes. To humanize Q’s rich-brat character, the writers give him a cliché subplot: daddy issues and night terrors. These night terrors conveniently allow Min to comfort Q, leading to a bond. And by episode four, we’re treated to the overused “character gets sick” trope, where Min nurses a shirtless Q. Cringe. Just cringe.

Visually, the lead actors look great together, and despite Leng struggling in emotional scenes, the romantic chemistry between him and Ohm shines in the more intimate moments of the story. However, the plot progression is completely harebrained. For instance, the mafia boss-woman’s conflict with Q’s cop father never feels serious or well-developed. Characters seem to show up wherever and whenever the plot requires them, with no explanation. Min and Q’s romance feels like it exists in a parallel bubble, disconnected from the grim reality of their world—a world filled with armed goons and dangerous crime. The tonal dissonance is jarring and undermines the story.

I ultimately gave up on Kidnap after episode seven, it was both due to the unimaginative script, and a classic case of ‘high expectations versus disappointing reality’. The pacing, the plot, and the overall execution felt like a slog. I really wouldn’t recommend Kidnap to viewers who like strong plots, but if you’re looking for a not too serious romance drama about a handsome rich brat falling for his hot, kind-hearted kidnapper, you might like it.

Kidnap is available to stream on YouTube.

Read Next: Peaceful Property Series Review – Ghosts and Gags

Also Read: Buckingham Murders: Sharp Cast in Blunt-Edged Thriller (Shorter Version Below)