‘The Lost Children’ (2024) Netflix Review - The Miraculous Survival of 4 Children

Our faith and resilience are put to the test during the toughest times. Be it a child or an adult, we all have the power to face adversity with bravery we never knew we had.

On May 1, 2023, four young siblings — Lesly Jacobombaire Mucutuy (13), Soleiny Ranoque Mucutuy (9), Tien Noriel Ranoque Mucutuy (4), and 11-month-old Cristin — embarked on what seemed like an ordinary journey that would forever change their lives. Alongside their mother, Magdalena Mucutuy, they left their home in a remote village near Araracuara in southern Colombia, heading to San José del Guaviare. The family traveled in a small Cessna 206 aircraft, reportedly to begin a new life with Manuel Ranoque, the father of the two younger children and stepfather to the older siblings.

However, tragedy struck when the plane crashed in the dense Amazon rainforest. The accident claimed the lives of three passengers, including the mother. While the wreckage of the plane was found relatively soon, the four children had disappeared, sparking a desperate search that would last for weeks.

The documentary The Lost Children takes viewers deep into the heart of the Amazon, following the gripping search-and-rescue efforts launched by military personnel and volunteers from indigenous groups. The rugged terrain and dense foliage made the operation a monumental challenge, but what kept hope alive were the clues left behind by the children. Fragments of clothing, footprints, and half-eaten fruits suggested the children had survived the crash and were wandering through the forest. These signs became beacons of hope as the search stretched on, day after a grueling day, into what seemed like an insurmountable task.

Against all odds, on June 9, 2023, 40 days after the crash, the four children were miraculously found alive just as rescue operations were losing all hope. Their survival story, especially that of 13-year-old Lesly, is nothing short of extraordinary. In the aftermath of the crash, despite being injured and unconscious for some time, Lesly awoke to the cries of her younger siblings. She discovered her baby brother Cristin beneath their deceased mother and immediately assumed the role of protector and caregiver.

Lesly's resilience and resourcefulness are at the heart of this documentary. A member of the Huitoto tribe, she had been taught crucial survival skills by her mother, knowledge that became lifesaving. In the dense jungle, Lesly foraged for fruits, and berries, and even managed to fish to sustain her siblings. Despite her injuries, she navigated the hostile environment and took charge of the group, guiding them through the forest, where danger lurked at every turn.

One of the most poignant aspects of the documentary is Lesly’s struggle to keep her siblings safe, particularly 4-year-old Tien, who grew weaker as the days dragged on. Lesly’s remarkable bravery and determination are celebrated, but the toll of the ordeal is also starkly evident. When rescuers finally found the children, Tien was so weak he couldn’t stand on his own.

The Lost Children is a harrowing yet inspiring documentary that delves into the emotional and physical challenges of survival against the backdrop of one of the world’s most dangerous environments. It sheds light on the power of familial bonds, the strength of a young girl forced into a role far beyond her years, and the tireless efforts of search teams who refused to give up hope. This survival story is a testament to human resilience and the extraordinary will to live, even in the face of overwhelming odds.

Final Score- [8/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times