Watch Allen v. Farrow

The HBO docuseries, Allen v. Farrow, is a four-part documentary that explores the story of Mia Farrow and Woody Allen's tumultuous relationship and the sexual abuse allegations against Allen by Farrow's daughter, Dylan. The series delves deep into the scandalous events that occurred behind the curtains of one of Hollywood's most controversial families.

The first episode of the series sets the stage for the narrative, contrasting Woody Allen's public life as a beloved comedian and filmmaker with the allegations of sexual abuse made by Dylan Farrow. The documentary takes a meticulous approach to the investigation, using Mia Farrow's diaries, court documents, and investigative reports to disclose the intimate details of their relationship and the deep-seated issues that led to the sexual abuse allegations.

The second episode turns the focus to the early years of Mia Farrow and Woody Allen's relationship, highlighting their shared passion for filmmaking and their unconventional family structure - Mia had seven biological children and adopted several more. It's also in this episode that the documentary begins to make its case against Allen, portraying him as someone who exerted an unhealthy level of control over Farrow's life and her children. Throughout the episode, the documentary interviews several key individuals from Mia and Woody's past, including Woody's former producing partner, Jean Doumanian.

As the series progresses, Allen's influence over Mia and her children becomes more pronounced, leading to the ultimate breaking point: Mia's discovery of explicit photographs of her adopted daughter Soon-Yi Previn in Allen's possession. The documentary spends significant time discussing Soon-Yi's story, how she came to live with Mia and Woody, and the role that Allen played in her development. According to the documentary, Soon-Yi's relationship with Allen began when he would give her rides home from school and she would wait for him to "pat her on the knee" before getting out of the car. Allen and Soon-Yi's relationship would lead to the complete dissolution of Mia and Woody's relationship, with Mia fighting to keep the children she and Woody had adopted together.

The fourth and final episode of the series focuses primarily on the aftermath of the allegations, including the custody battle between Mia and Woody and the eventual court case against Allen. The episode features interviews with Dylan's brother, Ronan Farrow, as well as discussions with various experts on child abuse and trauma. The series provides a thorough exploration of the abuse allegations against Allen and the impact they had on the Farrow family, as well as broader discussions about the power dynamics present in Hollywood and society at large.

Overall, the HBO docuseries Allen v. Farrow is an emotionally charged and revealing look into one of the most controversial stories in Hollywood history. The series paints a vivid picture of the events leading up to the revelations about Woody Allen and his relationship with Mia's daughter, Dylan. Through interviews with key figures involved in the story, including Mia Farrow and Dylan O'Sullivan Farrow, the documentary presents a powerful indictment of Allen's behavior and the effect it had on those affected by it. As a result, Allen v. Farrow is an important exploration of the complex issues surrounding sexual abuse and celebrity culture, demonstrating how systemic power imbalances can perpetuate abuse and trauma.

Allen v. Farrow is a series that ran for 1 seasons (4 episodes) between February 21, 2021 and on HBO