Watch When They See Us

When They See Us is a powerful and emotional Netflix miniseries that tells the story of the Central Park Five, five young black and Latino boys who were falsely accused and convicted of a brutal rape in New York City in 1989. The series, which was created and directed by Ava DuVernay, explores the lives of these five boys - Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise - as well as their families and the legal system that failed them.

The first episode begins on a warm night in April 1989, when a group of teenagers from Harlem go into Central Park, as thousands of others had done before them, looking for a good time. As they roam through the park they encounter a group of white teens who they get into a brief altercation with before moving on. Meanwhile, a young woman is found brutally beaten and raped in the same area of the park. The police, who are under intense pressure to solve the crime, soon come across Antron, Kevin, Yusef, Raymond, and Korey, who had nothing to do with the assault, but are rounded up and interrogated nonetheless.

Over the course of the four episodes that make up When They See Us, we see how the boys are coerced by the police into giving false confessions, how their families are torn apart by the accusations against them, and how the legal system, including the prosecutors and the media, is complicit in the injustices that are being perpetuated. The series doesn't shy away from showing the physical and emotional toll that the experience takes on the boys, particularly Korey Wise, who is portrayed brilliantly by Jharrel Jerome, who won an Emmy for his performance. We see how these young boys, who should be worrying about school and girls, are instead thrown into a world of violence, fear, and confusion.

When They See Us is a masterful work of storytelling that shines a spotlight on a shameful chapter in American history. It asks difficult questions about race, class, and justice and forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about ourselves and our society. The series is a reminder that the Central Park Five were just the latest victims in a long line of people who have been crushed by a system that is rigged against them, and that the fight for justice is ongoing. At its heart, When They See Us is a call to action, urging us to do better for the countless people who are still waiting for justice.

The acting in the series is phenomenal, particularly from the young actors who play the Central Park Five. Asante Blackk, Caleel Harris, Ethan Herisse, and Marquis Rodriguez all deliver powerful performances, as does Niecy Nash, who plays Korey Wise's mother, Dolores. The series also features standout appearances from actors like Joshua Jackson, Felicity Huffman, and Vera Farmiga.

When They See Us is a difficult and at times painful series to watch, but it is also a hopeful and inspiring one. Through its portrayal of these five young boys who were wronged by the system, it reminds us that change is possible, and that the fight for justice is never over. It is a must-see for anyone who cares about social justice, human rights, and the power of storytelling to effect change. It is a series that will stay with you long after you finish watching it, and that will inspire you to take action in whatever way you can to make the world a better place.

When They See Us is a series that ran for 1 seasons (4 episodes) between May 31, 2019 and on Netflix