Over the past week, I’ve watched the 8-part Netflix series, Unbelievable. It’s a truly harrowing account of a serial rapist, and how one of his victims was not only disbelieved, but pressured by the police to recant her story — something to keep in mind when people try to argue that women lie and make false accusations. After seeing it, I learned that it’s based on a true story, and is remarkably faithful to that account, and has been validated by the victim, Marie. If you read that, you can skip the show, and you’ll just miss some excellent performances.
There is one thing in the written account that I didn’t see in the series.
Marie left the state, got a commercial driver’s license and took a job as a long-haul trucker. She married, and in October she and her husband had their second child. She asked that her current location not be disclosed.
Good. If you read her story or watch the series, though, I warn you: the happy ending does not salvage the horrible process.
I read about this several years back. I haven’t been able to bring myself to watch the earlier episodes when the young lady was being crapped on.
I really wanted to see more people eating crow at the end.
It sucks, because this woman is still used in some circles as a “false rape accusation” bugaboo. Yet she very clearly isn’t.
Part of this story reminds me of EEB. Remember her? In a comment on Jason Thibeault’s blog that Stephanie Zvan elevated to a blog post of its own?
This is yet another reason I err on the side of believing victims. Even the supposed statistic that says that 5% of rape accusations are probably false is probably inflated… possibly wildly inflated.
Even if 5% is correct, that means that only one of Trump’s accusers was lying,
and people voted for him anyway. There are times when I find the human race to be utterly disgusting.
Millions of US women say first sexual experience was rape:
Strange. I’m convinced I read the original story through Pharyngula. Maybe it was a link in the comments to something else. As soon as I started the Netflix show I recalled the long form journalism story.
It’s well made – not adding much for dramatic effect or twisting timelines to hit typical story beats. Doesn’t make you feel much better that if it wasn’t for the mass coincidence of two female detectives joining the dots this would have never been solved and multiple lives ruined with disbelief.
I didn’t know the coda to the young lady’s story but that’s a ray of happiness to something utterly depressing.
Depending on who one is, one will also (I have very good reason to believe) miss some powerful triggers, for which excellent performances might not be a trade one need be willing to take.
Great story, writing, acting. Some gratuitous blather about the power of prayer at the end, which was a drag.
Sadly women have been treated like crap in this country since eternity. Look at our fake pres. KMA I am done.
At the very least everyone should have to watch the first episode. That’s the kind of justice many victims wind up receiving. I thought about not watching more than the first episode because it felt essentially perfect- just the cold brutal reality of our culture. I was afraid the rest of the series would be far too hopeful and full of Hollywood-style police tropes. I’m 3 episodes in now and am not too disappointed.
@margecullen, when dealing with the consequences of rape, this country is hardly unique with women being treated like crap. Where do you think we are treated fairly?
susans to margecullen: “Where do you think we are treated fairly?”
Whatever makes you imagine margecullen anywhere claimed or implied that such a place exists?
(Try again, perhaps_)