Unbelievable, a Netflix miniseries, talks about a grim subject matter. Sexual abuse. Rape. The aftermath.
It is infuriating. One that would make you mad-scream about the miscarriage of justice. Something that we hear, know and see often. Living in a #MeToo era, the stretch of mistrust faced by women is gut-wrenching. A young woman reports rape, instead of chasing the offender police poked inconsistency in her statement. Further, dismissed her claim and sued her of false-report.
Living in the society which cried loud #MeToo, just to fall back in life after finger-pointing and social media cries. Women who faced sexual abuse live with fear. Constantly feel unsafe. While many if not all, sexual abuse preparator is still at large. Free. Living at their will. Looking out for the next target. What hurts more? The credibility of the victim is questioned by all.
Unbelievable is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning article An Unbelievable Story of Rapes by The Marshall Project and ProPublica.
Marie, a teen whose independent life has just begun. One who had been in and out of foster homes since the age of 3. Her new life is shaken up. When one night in 2009 she woke up to find a stranger in her bedroom. For hours she is repeatedly raped by that stranger at knifepoint. This was one of the first abuses she underwent that year. Soon the detectives found loopholes in her statements and bullied her to admit making up a story. Her friends and acquaintances choose to alienate her. She is forced to live emotionally isolated. However, far-away two detectives investigating on a series of rapes in 2011 believe Marie was abused by the same person they are in search of. Finally, he is caught.
Detectives Toni Collette as Grace Rasmussen and Merritt Wever as Karen Duvall are strong women, former a strong-headed individualist and later an empathetic. Each having layers to their characters, having a life beyond the investigation. Each taking an unbelievable path to find the criminal before he preys on next woman. These women feel a lot real, making the viewer believe – we need more like them in reality, in our country.
Kaitlyn Dever as Marie Alder plays the brilliant role of a trauma victim who faces brutalism repeatedly in hands of law and assumed societal support. Depicting the emotional state of Marie as she shuts down emotions and tells, re-tell the difficult situation to police, detectives, a nurse in a repeated loop is shown with attentiveness. She is never melodramatic. The scene of violence is not bared in a go. The scenes are divided in quick flashback across the 8 episodes. Yet they are horrifying, though not detailed. Horrifying enough. Uncomfortable to view. Painful to hear.
The miniseries, Unbelievable, might not gather huge audience for its realistic portrayal. It documents the raw trauma, justice denied and severed years late. Even do talk about self-worth and the scars of fight endured. Unbelievable also brings up the radical question of difference of listening to the victim, with compassion. Humanism.
Streaming on Netflix. 8 episodes. Unbelievable is unmissable.
If you like this, you might like Onaatah of the Earth: A spectacular movie. The healing journey of a woman after sexual abuse finding a new purpose and peace.
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I am a complete web series addict these days and crime and suspense is always my first choice. Will surely check this one too
This sounds like a really good watch. I love watching crime dramas and will surely check this out.
Such stories are aplenty in every medium nowadays. A good subject to make a series on indeed. Your review is helpful. Will check this out.
I heard good reviews about this drama. Your review convinced me to watch it today to enjoy weekend with netflix
I had heard a lot about this series. Thanks for your review actually i used to watch a lot but recently due to some work i hardly watch Netflix but will surely watch this series.
I have watched this series and found it so scary and heart-breaking. Such a big system failure, but glad that the rape survivors got justice, thanks to Karen and Grace. True, Unbelievable is Unmissable!
Such stories are rooted in reality.Its commendable that you watched this and reviewed on your blog.Subjects like these are heart breaking.
my weekends are incomplete without Netflix sure will be checking out thank you for review.
I absolutely loved watching this series on Netflix. It was such a gripping one. I binged watched the entire season in two days!
I didn’t watch any Netflix Series. As you mentioned about this crime drama series, sounds very interesting. I have also heard about the Netflix series earlier by my friends, this time I am think8ng I should go for a watch. Thank for the review.
The plot sounds intriguing. This looks like perfect web series to vouch for.
I was looking for watching next something exciting on Netflex and just read your post, the plot sounds really interesting to me. will watch it for sure. #MBUmomswhoblog
I am not a big Netflix fan, but your review is increasing my interest in this particular series.
I have watched Unbelievable, each episode gave me goosebumps. Just wanted to keep watching till the end. Your review revived and highlighted this fabulous Netflix series.
I have been hearing a lot about the series. I do plan to watch it soon. Just reading the review gave me goosebumps.
You might like this one Ritu.
This really sounds so interesting to me ….I love such movies
Surely you would find the miniseries interesting.
Perfect timing. I was searching for next binge watch. And i like more of suspense thrillers. Thnx
interesting review