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Unbelievable (Netflix)

59 replies

FatherFintanFay · 13/09/2019 18:44

Anyone watching this? I'm just onto the second episode but it's hard going, really upsetting. I can see exactly on what grounds the victim is going to be disbelieved - not injured enough, not upset enough, inconsistencies between the many times she was made to retell what happened. I think it's going to be a difficult watch, even though it's well made and acted.

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Shelvesoutofbooks · 13/09/2019 22:57

I started it... turned it off 6 minutes in. Really couldn't watch it.

courtlee · 13/09/2019 23:55

Half way through episode 2 at the moment. It is very stressful and upsetting to watch the two male cops pick apart her story and call her a liar and that she is wasting their time Sad the whole investigation so far was handled appallingly! A vast contrast to episode 2 the female cop is brilliant

Winsomelosesome · 14/09/2019 14:26

Just finished watching the whole series, almost gave up after the first episode. Highly recommend sticking with it, the first episode is the hardest to watch I found. Compelling viewing and very well done I thought.

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FatherFintanFay · 14/09/2019 18:27

It is very well done and there isn't a wasted scene in it - but it's making me feel a bit edgy, being a woman who lives alone. I don't think of myself as vulnerable most of the time but occasionally things like this unsettle me!

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Voila212 · 14/09/2019 19:09

I agree, turned off the first episode yesterday. I decided to give it another try and have spent most of the day binge watching it. Have a few more episodes to go. It is very compelling and keeps you hooked. Love the 2 detectives and I want to just hug the young girl.

BitOfFun · 15/09/2019 02:46

I've seen all f it. Absolutely superb. Very victim-focussed. Also, it doesn't just concentrate on the police manhunt: it also shows a wider view of rape culture.

I think it's the best TV I've seen for a long time.

Whatwaswrongwiththatusername · 15/09/2019 11:01

I really quite enjoyed this. Although 'enjoyed' may not be the correct word for a subject such as this, but I thought it was a really good watch. I didn't know anything about this when it came up on Netflix, but thought it looked good. When I started watching and it said it was based on real life, I purposely didn't read about the case until after I'd finished the last episode.

I think this series managed to portray the gut-wrenching reality and the emotions really well. Not only of the original case, but of all women who have found themselves in that exact same situation. I could actually feel the injustice, if that makes any sense.

I'd like to think that something was learned by all involved in this case, and procedures and attitudes have been changed. But not only on the legal/police side of things, but of those closest to any woman who has the bravery to speak up and say they have been assaulted, and for those people to say - and mean - "I believe you", and to support them. The years that poor woman suffered, and lost, due to two men basically saying "we don't believe you" and the chain of events that started.

I'm not sure I'm putting this across in the best way, but it's such an emotional subject and it's hard to find words to adequately describe any feelings around a situation such as this, and to know that it happens everywhere, everyday, to women.

RingtheBells · 15/09/2019 12:26

Just went onto Netflix to watch something else and this popped up so will watch this now

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FatherFintanFay · 15/09/2019 14:06

username what has been getting me about it was that it was Marie's foster mum who really put the nails in the coffin of her credibility. I'm sure the male detectives were already doubting her account, but until she basically told them that Marie was unreliable and an attention seeker, they were at least looking into her case. It just shows how invidious rape culture really is.

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barryfromclareisfit · 15/09/2019 14:11

Watched it all. Loved it. Thought it put across a lot of useful messages - people don’t ‘get over’ rape/ the way police etc deal with victims can add to the abuse and so on. Useful teaching aid/ discussion starter.

Felt so, so sorry for Marie.

courtlee · 15/09/2019 14:41

It was horrible how the foster mum went behind her back discredited her. She just assumed everyone who suffers rape should act in a certain way but in reality that's not the case everyone is a completely different person. The two female detectives were brilliant.

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FatherFintanFay · 15/09/2019 20:13

I think it's an important drama with a lot to say, but sadly I can't see it reaching a wide audience. Anything that's female led with an overtly feminist message will be written off as being just for women and not serious or weighty. I hope to be proved wrong but of the online reviews I've seen, the only negative one was from a male reviewer who thought it was preachy Angry

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cheesydoesit · 15/09/2019 20:16

I'm seven and a half minutes in and I'm sticking with it but I'm counting down until Toni Colette and Merrit Weaver appear because every single man so far has literally dropped in disbelief and it's making me feel so angry. The flashbacks are making me nauseous and the examination is reminding me of when Tosh had to go through it in Shetland, that was also really well done. I have just noticed she has had to recount what has happened to her three times already. This is going to be hard to watch isn't it?

cheesydoesit · 15/09/2019 20:18

dripped, not dropped. Urgh, unfortunately that doesn't surprise me FatherFintan*

StarlingsInSummer · 15/09/2019 20:59

Just posted in the other thread... I’m watching the first episode and it’s horrific how she’s been bullied by those bloody male cops. That poor girl. And just the awful processing of her as a rape victim, all the indignities in the hospital, having to repeat it to the police and write out her statement...

cheesydoesit · 15/09/2019 21:29

Yeah, I've just pointed out to my husband the complete contrast of approaches between the detectives that interview Marie and the way Merrit Weaver spoke to Amber.

JustHereWithMyPopcorn · 16/09/2019 11:56

I binged watched the entire series yesterday, I found it incredibly well made and acted.

It wasn't just the being disbelieved, it was her treatment from the off. Everything so blase and clinical, no-one seeming to think about the mental trauma. Just another statistic.

Incredibly moving and would recommend anyone to watch if it won't be a trigger.

StarlingsInSummer · 16/09/2019 11:59

I'm "enjoying" it more now it's focusing on Toni and Merritt investigating, but still finding the bits showing Marie's life imploding very difficult to watch.

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FatherFintanFay · 16/09/2019 13:07

I finished this last night. I'm not a crier, but the final episode made me tearful.

SPOILERS FOR THE ENDING

What set me off was Karen's reaction when she was watching the tape of the rapist's interview. He said that he'd left a lot of evidence behind when he attacked Marie and that he'd been expecting somebody to come for him, but when they didn't, he thought "Hey, I can do this". And went on to attack several other women. It was the way Karen's whole body seemed to crumple in despair, with the realisation that this man could have been stopped after his first victim if only Marie had been treated properly by the police at the time. That got to me. It must be true of so many rapists in general - that moment when they think "Hey, I didn't get caught. I can do this". And when men see other men getting let off with a light sentence or none at all even when they do get caught.

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BitOfFun · 17/09/2019 00:53

I disagree that it won't be widely watched- it's already being talked about a lot, and tipped for awards.

staydazzling · 17/09/2019 14:23

im on episode 2, its very gripping and emotional. no ones talking about it but im very impressed theres a plus size victim on here, im wondering if shes doubted further along aswell.

vjg13 · 17/09/2019 16:03

Have to agree with a PP that it is the best TV I have seen for a long time. Compelling, brilliant acting and subtle nuanced scenes.

carrythecan · 17/09/2019 18:58

I watched the whole of this, on Sunday, after reading a review. The first episode was definitely the hardest to watch, but the review had said it was, and I was completely hooked after the second episode.

It's such an awful story but very well acted and done. I especially enjoyed the relationship between the two female cops.

sweetkitty · 23/09/2019 00:58

On episode 3 finding it harrowing poor Marie in the hospital and being interviewed

30to50FeralHogs · 23/09/2019 01:05

I’ve just binged it and it was excellent. I wasn’t going to watch it, as I’ve seen so many series where sexual assaults on women are used as entertainment. I’m just sick of it.

However, I saw an interview with the real Marie and the fact that she was happy about the way it was all portrayed and the good reviews I’d read convinced me to give it a go.

Bloody love Merritt Weaver from Nurse Jackie days - understated perfection. And all the victims were played brilliantly.

It was really sensitively done and so many strong female characters. So glad I gave it a go.