Netflix's new three-part docuseries, 'Taken: Natalee Holloway,' directed by Dani Sloane, re-examines the 2005 disappearance of Natalee Holloway in Aruba. The series focuses on the perspective of Natalee's mother, Beth Holloway, and her friends, as well as individuals from Aruba who aided in the pursuit of Joran van der Sloot, a long-time person of interest who confessed to killing Natalee in 2023.
The docuseries opens with Beth Holloway reading a letter she wrote to van der Sloot. It aims to provide a more intimate portrayal of Natalee, moving beyond the iconic senior portrait that became synonymous with the case. According to the series, Natalee was an intelligent and studious teenager who enjoyed time with friends but prioritized her academics. She was last seen with van der Sloot on the night of May 30, 2005, hours after arriving in Aruba for a senior trip.
'Taken: Natalee Holloway' also features an interview with Gerold Dompig, Aruba's deputy chief of police, who defends the initial investigation. Beth Holloway expresses her ongoing frustration with the pace of the Aruban authorities' investigation and the years of denials from van der Sloot. The series highlights Beth's efforts to keep her daughter's name in the public consciousness through press conferences and media interviews.
The docuseries has been compared to other true-crime series like 'Amy Bradley Is Missing.' While it may not offer extensive new information to those who have closely followed the case for nearly two decades, it effectively captures the emotional journey experienced by Beth Holloway and Natalee's friends. The series draws attention to the decades-long pursuit of justice and the psychological toll of the unresolved case.
'Taken: Natalee Holloway' is available for streaming on Netflix. The review from Stream It Or Skip It calls the series a "quick-moving docuseries" that successfully conveys the emotional impact of the case on those closest to Natalee.