Unbelievable is recommended for those who enjoy crime dramas and productions based on true events, having earned praise from viewers. Max and Skylar, a couple who share viewing recommendations on TikTok, said Netflix’s 8-episode miniseries is a must-watch.
The 2019 production Unbelievable was adapted from T. Christian Miller and Ken Armstrong’s article titled An Unbelievable Story of Rape, published in 2015 and awarded the Pulitzer Prize the following year. The series tells the story of Marie (Kaitlyn Dever), who reported that she had been raped but whose accounts were not believed. Two female detectives inspired by real people search for evidence to corroborate Marie’s statements.
While praising the script and acting, Max and Skylar said the production shows the importance of taking women’s accounts seriously. The performances of Toni Collette, Merritt Wever and Kaitlyn Dever were also singled out. Viewers wrote that the series was impressive and deserved to make a bigger impact. Unbelievable is still available to watch on Netflix.
Why it matters
The fact that the journalistic work on which the series is based was awarded the Pulitzer Prize means the production is viewed not only as a fictional crime story but also as an adaptation of a text investigating real events. Marie’s account initially not being taken seriously raises questions about how victims’ statements are received when crimes are reported and why the process of searching for evidence is decisive. The investigation by the two detectives inspired by real people ensures that the narrative is not limited to one person’s experience but focuses on the effort to verify it. In this respect, beyond the praise for its script and acting, the production places the issue of taking women’s statements into account at the center of viewers’ assessments. Comments that it should make a bigger impact also show that this issue resonates with viewers.