Twenty-four years after one of the most infamous abduction cases in American history, Elizabeth Smart is reclaiming her narrative in her own voice.

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The new Netflix documentary Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart (streaming now as of January 21, 2026) offers an intimate, unflinching look at the June 5, 2002, night when 14-year-old Elizabeth was taken at knifepoint from her Salt Lake City bedroom.

Held captive for nine months by Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Barzee, she endured daily sexual abuse, threats, and manipulation before her dramatic rescue in March 2003.

Directed by Benedict Sanderson, the 1-hour-31-minute film blends Elizabeth’s powerful personal testimony with exclusive interviews from her family, investigators, and those closest to the case.

It incorporates never-before-seen archival footage and material, tracing the intense nationwide search, the breakthrough provided by her younger sister Mary Katherine (who recognized Mitchell from a sketch), and Elizabeth’s eventual rescue by passersby and police in Sandy, Utah.

In recent interviews promoting the documentary—including appearances on TODAY and Netflix’s Skip Intro podcast—Elizabeth reflects on the ordeal with remarkable candor and optimism.

She emphasizes that “there are happy endings,” highlighting her journey to a “normal” life: marriage, motherhood, and advocacy work through the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, which supports survivors of sexual violence and child abduction.

She discusses confronting shame, her evolving relationship with her Mormon faith (influenced by her captor’s warped religious justifications), and how post-rescue media interviews re-traumatized her. Elizabeth also praises her sister’s heroic role and stresses to survivors: you’re not alone, and healing is possible.

The film confronts the graphic realities of her captivity without sensationalism, aiming to do “justice” to her story while empowering others. Mitchell remains in federal prison serving life; Barzee was released after serving time. As true-crime interest surges, Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart stands out for its survivor-centered approach, offering hope amid horror.

Watch Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart now on Netflix (TV-MA). The documentary underscores Elizabeth’s resilience: from victim to advocate, proving survival and thriving are possible even after unimaginable trauma.