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- Netflix
- Jan 17, 2024
- Netflix
- Jan 17, 2024
Summary The three-part documentary from Felicity Morris and Bernadette Higgins centers on the 2015 kidnapping and sexual assault of Denise Huskins. The police accuse Denise and her boyfriend Aaron Quinn of a hoax when she reappears until a home invasion robbery turns up evidence of the kidnapping.
- Netflix
- Jan 17, 2024
- Netflix
- Jan 17, 2024
American Nightmare
Season 1
Season Premiere: Jan 17, 2024
76
User Score
Available after 4 ratings
tbd
Summary The three-part documentary from Felicity Morris and Bernadette Higgins centers on the 2015 kidnapping and sexual assault of Denise Huskins. The police accuse Denise and her boyfriend Aaron Quinn of a hoax when she reappears until a home invasion robbery turns up evidence of the kidnapping.
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Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 8 Critic Reviews
76
88% Positive
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
13% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 8 Critic Reviews
76
88% Positive
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
13% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
The three-part Netflix series “American Nightmare” from filmmakers Felicity Morris and Bernadette Higgins (“The Tinder Swindler”) still packs a sharp punch and feels like a fresh and comprehensive retelling of the story. The success of the docuseries comes in great part because Huskins and Quinn sat down for extensive interviews and are admirably forthcoming in their recollections of the ordeal they endured.
Gripping.
What elevates this documentary above the normal schlocky true crime fare is how it makes the true crime audience complicit in the media storm in which Quinn and Huskins found themselves. But American Nightmare also has a hunger for the ghoulish details.
Elicits skepticism and shock in equal measure. In doing so, it underlines the potential difficulty—and yet vital necessity—of taking allegations of rape seriously, even when the narratives are outlandish and the evidence is scant.
American Nightmare teases out the story of Denise Huskins’ kidnapping to a bit of an irritating degree, but we do understand why the filmmakers did what they did. It’s a fascinating story of law enforcement and confirmation bias, one that needs to be on a platform like Netflix.
The filmmakers rely on too much straight-on interview footage with Ms. Huskins, perhaps, and tell much of their tale though ominous re-creations. But they also tell an electrifying tale.
The latest hit Netflix docuseries finds chilling and effective ways to go beyond the standard true-crime expectations. Yet, even as it ends up at a broader message beyond the unusual circumstances of a single kidnapping case, it’s hard to shake the idea that the overall structure of the show and its “twisty thriller” framing are working against what could make this a truly worthwhile entry into an ever-growing subgenre.
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