‘Captive’ Trailer: Kate Mara Gets Kidnapped, Reads a Self-Help Book

Oh boy. This is the trailer for Captive, a new thriller inspired by real events, in which a single mother is kidnapped by an escaped convict, but don’t worry! Thanks to this best-selling self-help book someone gave her, she finds a way to bond with her kidnapper and survive — basically, it’s one long commercial for a book your aunt probably has sitting on a shelf somewhere.

Kate Mara and David Oyelowo are two of our finest working actors, which is about the only thing that makes Captive seem worth a watch. Otherwise, the conceit — even if it is based on a true story — is a bit silly. Oyelowo plays a convict who escapes prison when he discovers he has a son, while Mara plays Ashley Smith, a drug-addicted single mom taken hostage by said convict. And then there’s the book that ties this whole thing together: The Purpose Driven Life, written by evangelical Christian Rick Warren.

Don’t be surprised when Captive is successful at the box office — recent faith-based films have proven to be huge hits. But at least Captive looks a bit different from its more cheerful, saccharine brethren. Here’s the official synopsis:

CAPTIVE, based on a miraculous true story that drew the attention of the entire nation, is the dramatic, thrilling, and spiritual journey of Ashley Smith and Brian Nichols. After being taken hostage by Brian in her own apartment, Ashley turns to Rick Warren’s inspirational book, The Purpose Driven Life, for guidance. In reading from the book, Ashley not only finds purpose in her own life, but helps Brian find a more peaceful resolution to a harrowing situation.

Captive also stars Jessica Oyelowo, Leonor Varela, Mimi Rogers and Michael K. Williams, and hits theaters on September 18 — that should give you plenty of time to pick up your very own copy of The Purpose Driven Life.