Watch Unbelievable

Unbelievable is a true crime drama miniseries that premiered on Netflix in 2019, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning article "An Unbelievable Story of Rape" by T. Christian Miller and Ken Armstrong. The series is created by Susannah Grant, Ayelet Waldman, and Michael Chabon, and directed by Lisa Cholodenko and others. The series stars Kaitlyn Dever, Toni Collette, and Merritt Wever in leading roles, along with other talented actors.

The show follows the story of Marie Adler, a teenager living in Washington who reported being raped to the police, but then retracted her statement after she was questioned and doubted, leading to charges of false reporting. Meanwhile, two female detectives from Colorado, Karen Duvall and Grace Rasmussen, investigate a series of similar rape cases, and eventually connect them to a single perpetrator. As the two stories converge, the series portrays the different perspectives of the victim, the law enforcement, and the criminal, and the ways in which they intersect and conflict.

Kaitlyn Dever portrays Marie in a deeply affecting performance, capturing the vulnerability, trauma, and resilience of the character. Marie's journey from being a victim to being a survivor, and from being gaslit by the system to being supported by a community, is depicted with sensitivity and nuance. Her interactions with her foster mother and with a survivor advocate provide further insight into the complexity of her situation, and the challenges of navigating the criminal justice system as a survivor.

Toni Collette and Merritt Wever play Karen and Grace, respectively, with contrasting yet complementary approaches to their work. Karen is a seasoned detective with a tough exterior and a no-nonsense attitude, but also a deep compassion for the victims she encounters. Grace is a younger detective with a more empathetic and intuitive approach, but also a fierce determination to solve the case. The dynamic between the two women is both professional and personal, as they learn to trust and support each other in a male-dominated field.

The series also features notable performances by actors such as Dale Dickey, Elizabeth Marvel, and Danielle Macdonald, who play various roles in the investigation and the aftermath. They bring depth and humanity to their characters, and shed light on the different ways in which rape culture affects women from different backgrounds and classes.

The directing and writing of the series are also noteworthy, as they balance the procedural aspects of the investigation with the emotional impact of the story. The cinematography and production design create a sense of realism and intimacy, and the use of flashbacks and parallel editing creates a sense of tension and connection between the different timelines and perspectives.

Overall, Unbelievable is a powerful and important series that tackles difficult and relevant topics with honesty and empathy. It sheds light on the systemic failures and biases of the criminal justice system, as well as the resilience and dignity of survivors. The performances by Kaitlyn Dever, Toni Collette, and Merritt Wever are exceptional, and the direction and writing are masterful. It is a series that demands attention and reflection, and has the potential to spark conversations and change.

Unbelievable is a series that ran for 1 seasons (8 episodes) between September 13, 2019 and on Netflix