The Stolen Girl Episode 5 Review: A Forgettable Finale That Leaves You Unsatisfied

by

Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for The Stolen Girl episode 5.

In the final episode, I had higher expectations than any other during this season, but I’m struggling to determine if I’m disappointed. The previous episode stood out as the best among them, with a surprising plot twist linking various narratives. It’s disclosed that Rebecca’s true identity is Nina Thibault, and her husband and child were victims of a hit-and-run accident. Marcus served time for manslaughter, yet it’s clear from his chat with Elisa that she was the one behind the wheel.

In Episode 5, the events leading up to Elisa and Nina’s confrontation are thoroughly explained, and it was engaging to watch everything come together. However, some unresolved questions were left hanging, which felt more like oversights than intentional plot devices. Frankly, these remaining threads aren’t substantial enough to justify another season, leaving me feeling a bit unsatisfied instead.

Elisa And Nina Come Face To Face In A Strong Performance

Nina’s Pain Can Be Felt By Both Elisa And Viewers

When Elisa discovers the house in France, she frantically scours the grounds looking for Lucia. However, she doesn’t find her daughter; instead, she encounters Nina for the first time since the initial episode. Holliday Grainger delivers an impactful performance that resonates on-screen, causing me to feel a surge of anger towards Elisa for all the hardships she inflicted upon Nina.

Despite Elisa’s crime not excusing Nina’s actions, it does shed light on them. Not just a passenger, Elisa was the driver who fled the scene and let Marcus bear the blame for her. It transpired that Elisa was driving so dangerously due to a dispute with her father, which ended in him tumbling down the stairs and passing away. He had been physically abusive towards Elisa during her childhood, and she was determined to protect Lucia from his cruelty.

Following all the ordeals Nina experienced, I wasn’t so much angry that she found a way out, but rather frustrated that both the police and the audience are left clueless about her final destination. Elisa reconnects with Lucia and acknowledges that she must face the consequences of her actions on that fateful day. She is given a six-year prison sentence, yet Marcus, along with Elisa’s current emotions towards him, remain unresolved mysteries.

The Stolen Girl Finale Shortchanges Its Most Compelling Pair

Selma And Elisa’s Dynamic Is Underdeveloped And Inconsistent

At first, I was extremely excited about Selma (Ambika Mod from Netflix’s One Day) and Elisa joining forces in episode 5 of The Stolen Girl. However, the ending didn’t live up to my expectations as their dynamic felt inconsistent. Although they both travel to France together and Selma helps locate Nina, they part ways after a disagreement, with Elisa leaving Selma behind. They don’t meet again until the trial, where Selma decides to attend out of solidarity. The idea is sweet, but because of the lack of consistency in their relationship, I feel that their reconciliation isn’t convincing enough.

The final shot of the show holds significant importance, and I wasn’t entirely clear about what I had expected it to convey. What left me underwhelmed was the scene showing Fred with the kids at the amusement park – it didn’t resonate as much as I thought it would. The transition to Elisa in prison is indeed powerful, but not enough to leave a lasting impression on me for years. Frankly, my feelings towards episode 5 of The Stolen Girl are somewhat divided because several storylines were well-developed. Nevertheless, while the finale was satisfactory, it ultimately failed to stand out in my memory.

The Stolen Girl is available to stream on Disney+ worldwide.

Read More

2025-05-17 05:00