We can always rely on Netflix to churn out binge-worthy content that leaves us glued to our screens for hours on end.
This month has seen the streaming giant release a whole new batch of addictive content ranging from mini-series, horror TV shows, stand-up comedy, and classic movies.
But there’s one original series that has been really standing out from the rest… a heartbreaking mini-series named Unbelievable.
The show, which is based on true events, details a horrifically tragic rape-case and what became a gross miscarriage of justice. The scenes have been shaking up viewers, with many unable to resist the temptation to watch the entire thing in one go, all while left feeling pretty rattled by the events.
Keep scrolling to learn more about the tear-jerking series that isn’t only leaving people unable to stop watching but is also a massively important story to be told.
From old classics like Orange is The New Black, The Crown, and Stranger Things, to newer hits like The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, the streaming platform is no stranger to churning out big hits.
Joining many seasoned favorites was a whole host of original shows and classic movies including mysterious new thriller-series The I-Land, cult classic movie Dirty Dancing, and several stand-up comedy specials.
Netflix’s new drama mini-series, Unbelievable, has been striking quite a chord with viewers.
Featuring an impressive cast that boasts Kaitlyn Dever, Toni Collette, and Merritt Wever, the series follows the true-story of eighteen-year-old Marie, who was accused of lying about her rape.
Gut-wrenchingly, no one believes that she was sexually assaulted – eventually leading to her being charged, with her attacker roaming free.
Her terrifying assault saw her tied up, blindfolded, and raped by a masked knifeman who broke into her bedroom while she slept.
Written by T Christian Miller, The Marshall Project, and Ken Armstrong, the article brought the real-life case of a young woman known only as Marie, to the attention of the public.
(As this is a sensitive case, all images used are of Netflix’s adaptation and the actors that portray the real-life people involved.)
In 2008, Marie bravely reported her sexual assault, which saw her bound and raped in her own bed, with the perpetrator taking pictures throughout the ordeal, to police in Lynnwood, Washington. But, she quickly began to face doubt from both the police and her loved ones.
Ken Armstrong, who helped write the famed article about the case, told National Public Radio last year: “When the police began doubting Marie, they turned on her.”
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“The focus of the investigation became her credibility. And instead of interviewing Marie as a victim, they began interrogating her as a suspect.”
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After having her case abandoned and now facing charges, under the pressure of police, Marie pled guilty to a misdemeanor charge (punishable for up to a year in jail,) for lying to the police, and was forced to go through probation and pay fines.
Unaware of Marie’s case, Colorado Detectives Stacy Galbraith and Edna Hendershot, officers from separate departments in different towns, teamed up to catch a serial rapist.
Serial rapist, Marc O’Leary (in the show he was named Christopher McCarthy,) pleaded guilty to raping 3 women, including Marie, and trying to rape a fourth in 2011 in Colorado.
He was sentenced to 327 and a half years in prison.
Then, in 2012, he was given another sixty-two years after pleading guilty to 2 rapes in Lynnwood and Kirkland, KOMO News in Seattle reports.
Unbelievable is a difficult watch, but certainly an important story to be told.
Many people took to social media to react to the harrowing yet poignant drama.
Like this user, who said the show highlighted the “horrific level of victimn blaming by professionals.”