Social media users have been left feeling particularly uncomfortable after watching Netflix's latest drama series - and let's just say you'll definitely be adding this one to your list.
Adapted from Richard Gadd’s stage play of the same name, which premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2019, Baby Reindeer follows the story of a man who is forced to face his dark, buried trauma after he starts being stalked by a woman.
Watch the trailer below:The drama series consists of seven nail-biting episodes and stars Gadd (playing himself) as well as the likes of Jessica Gunning (portraying Martha) Nava Mau (playing Terri), Tom Goodman (portraying Darrien), and Shalom Brune-Franklin (who takes on the role of Keeley.)
The scariest part of it all is that it's based on real-life events that happened to Gadd, though for legal reasons, it must be stated that some aspects - such as the names of characters as well as some of the scenes - have been made "visually interesting", as emphasized by Gadd himself during an interview with Variety.
The series focuses on Donny Dunn and how a random act of kindness to a stranger who comes into a bar visibly distraught turns into a downward spiral of wild obsessive acts, leaving Donny with no choice but to reach out for help.
The stranger, Martha, becomes possessive of the bartender, despite the fact that they are not actually dating, and Donny is pursuing a relationship with someone else.
After a rollercoaster of back and forths between the two characters, Donny is eventually granted his freedom in the form of a nine-month prison sentence as well as a five-year restraining order.
The harrowing experience means that he is also forced to unearth some deeply buried trauma which involves being abused by a high-profile creative in the pursuit of a career in comedy.
After witnessing such an emotional rollercoaster, social media users took to X (formerly Twitter) to discuss the series, with many claiming that it left them feeling super uncomfortable.
"I cannot recommend baby reindeer enough. Absolutely harrowing, visceral, and probably the most accurate depiction of non-linear healing from abuse I have ever seen on screen," one user wrote.
"Baby Reindeer is so f****** good. Devastating, powerful, and the fact that it’s his life story is unbelievable. He truly blew me away. This one is gonna stick with me," added another.
"Shook and Shattered. I do not think there is any art that explores the trauma and abuse faced by male victims to such unsettling depth. I do not believe I am the same person after watching this series," another added.
And a third stated that they were left "creeped out" by the series, to which others also agreed.
"Watching Baby Reindeer and I’m sooooo creeped out," this user wrote, while another added: "I’m 17 minutes into #BabyReindeer and already creeped out by Martha."
Another word that repeatedly came up from viewers was "broken" - describing both the characters and themselves after watching the series.
And it's not just fans who have enjoyed the piece.
Variety's Aramide Tinubu described Baby Reindeer as "a brilliant and jarring account of stalking, victimization, and emotional turmoil", concluding that the show "carefully unpacks the frailties of human emotion and mental illness."
Sam Haysom of Mashable also agreed, branding it as "one of the most brilliant and upsetting shows of 2024."
"The show has moments that will stay with you; little awkward vignettes, some real-life horror, and a few sequences that are powerful enough to hurt," Haysom writes. "It's messy, thought-provoking, and - like a dream that's difficult to shake - you'll find your mind going back to it long after the credits have rolled."
Baby Reindeer is available to watch on Netflix now.
.jpg_uectls?tr=h-184)
.jpg_vOvPo8?tr=h-184)
.jpg_PwXmKg?tr=h-184)
