Quartile rating: 6/10 · 1 rating
For many years, Nathan Harper has had the uneasy feeling that life with his family isn't quite what it seems. As he draws closer to uncovering the truth, he is hunted by assassins, forcing him to flee with his neighbor, Karen, the only person he can trust.
Abduction is a generic teen thriller built around a charismatic but limited lead (Taylor Lautner) whose action-star credentials were being tested post-Twilight. The plot is a by-the-numbers 'secret past' chase narrative with little originality — the twists are predictable and the spy mechanics are underdeveloped. Lautner's acting is frequently cited as wooden, and the supporting cast (Sigourney Weaver, Alfred Molina) is wasted. Cinematography is competent and occasionally slick for its genre and budget, with decent Pittsburgh location work. Novelty is low — the premise of a teen discovering his true identity while being hunted is well-worn territory executed without a distinctive voice. The ending is unsatisfying and abrupt, failing to deliver on the thriller's promised payoff.