Netflix announces the series “Reindeer” as a production about a comedian and his persecutor, and it must be admitted that this description does not sound like a candidate for the production of the year. It becomes more interesting when we read that the story contained in the seven-episode series actually happened to a certain Richard Gadd, who is also the screenwriter, showrunner, executive producer and the main actor. However, in times of the widespread use of the Internet, stalking is no longer as shocking as it once was. Although he should.
The story from the Netflix series “Reindeer” really happened [RECENZJA]
The slightly infantile, colorful poster is also rather encouraging, as it may suggest that we are dealing with a pseudo-controversial film that, despite not downplaying the problem of persecution, will approach the story in a safe and conservative way. The creators do not want to disabuse us too quickly.
The first episodes of “Reindeer” are predictable and as if deliberately exaggerated. It’s hard to avoid wondering what actually happened and what was tweaked for neater shots and a more interesting plot. We meet Donny Dunn at one of the turning points in his life. After half a year, he decided to report to the police that he had been a victim of harassment. After visiting the police station, the hero takes us on a painful trip into his past and explains how he ended up in a stalemate.
An unfulfilled comedian works in one of the less charming pubs as a bartender. One day, the diner is visited by Martha (Jessica Gunning), who tells Donny about her life as a sought-after, busy lawyer. The man listens to her story and although he does not feel sexually attracted to the client, he feels good in her company. It doesn’t last long, however, and Martha visits the bar every day from then on, which undermines the credibility of her tirades about lack of time and hard work. But it is not everything. He gets Donny’s email address and sends him dozens of messages a day. He writes not only what he does, but also creates an increasingly terrifying romantic relationship with the bartender he just met. A relationship that no one else was willing to have. A relationship in which he loses himself more and more.
Netflix’s “Reindeer” is the surprise of the year. This series is really worth seeing
This rather formulaic, yet extremely disturbing story is made up of appearances that lull our vigilance. We look at our laptop screens and wait for Martha to cross another boundary and finally lead to a situation that will put Donny against the wall and push the series towards the epilogue. As we become more confident that we know how the story will unfold, the hero raises the stakes.
It is at the moment when Donny wants to understand why he was so late in reporting Martha’s behavior to the police, that the long introduction to the series ends. A story not about stalking, obsession or lack of assertiveness, but above all about great shame and unimaginable harm, which in so many cases becomes a solid foundation for building deeply rooted trauma.
In its early awkwardness, the show had us smiling nervously at times. However, when the plot deviates from the path chosen at the beginning, we regret every snort. We feel the same sense of guilt that accompanies our hero throughout his life, only on a completely different scale. This is the moment when watching events on the screen is no longer just awkward for us, entertainment “in front of the TV” turns into a dark, unbearable, but very necessary lesson in empathy.
The series not only makes us aware of how quickly we judge a situation even though we only know its outline, but also thoroughly proves that any crossing of boundaries is absolutely bad. The production does not justify the characters’ actions, but instead of judging, it looks for their source. He fights stereotypes, prejudices and points out to society the cost that each of us may incur when we try to force ourselves into the framework established by who knows who and who knows why.
Richard Gadd is flawless, natural and very convincing in his role, but is it strange since he played scenes from his own life? The most shocking thing, however, is where he gets the strength to relive his nightmare.
“Reindeer” is a phenomenal study of trauma and an important perspective of a man who, fighting for his dreams and position in a patriarchal world, did not find the space to take care of his fear and doubts. Instead, he covered his complexes and shame with another layer of appearances, which ended in his personal tragedy. When Donny loses the love of his life, he says that there is only one feeling he has stronger than the one he has for his beloved – self-hatred. These words seem to explain every move he has made since the beginning of the series.
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
