BABY REINDEER
Starring: Richard Gadd, Jessica Gunning, Nava Mau, Tom Goodman-Hill, and Nina Sosanya
Creator: Richard Gadd
QUENTIN
Baby Reindeer wasn’t on my radar until it became the buzziest Netflix show since Tiger King. I’m so glad I jumped in blind, and even more glad that I listened to the internet because it’s a tremendously complex tale of obsession and how abuse can shape a person. Through a collection of contradictions — painful, yet funny; hard to watch, yet spellbinding; empathetic, yet prompting judgment — creator/writer/star Richard Gadd tells an autobiographical tale that is incredibly raw, honest, emotional, and intimate. Fair (trigger) warning for those who have experienced sexual assault, but Reindeer is a revelation and one of the year’s best series. Sent from my iPhone.
KATIE
Baby Reindeer is an impressive mix of disturbing, heartbreaking, darkly comedic, thought-provoking, and always deeply compelling. It’s one of the most original TV shows I’ve seen. I was constantly shocked by the decisions of the characters, having no idea which direction each episode would take. Our central characters are multi-faceted and morally complex, and it delves deep into the unpredictable impact of internalising trauma and experiencing abuse. It’s unbelievable the show is not only based on true events, but an autobiographical account of star and creator Richard Gadd’s experiences. It's likely one of my favourite shows of the year.
CALEB
I went into Baby Reindeer expecting more of the usual true-crime, docu-drama shlock that Netflix churns out on the regular, but damn was I mistaken. This disturbing autobiographical story hooked me from the very first episode and refused to let go. Creator/star/writer Richard Gadd provides an incredibly intimate, fearless portrayal of himself, but it’s Jessica Gunning who steals the show as his obsessive stalker, Martha. She delivers a powerhouse showing that’s demented, hilarious, sympathetic, and utterly terrifying all at once. With amazing performances, clever editing, creative cinematography, and fantastic writing, Baby Reindeer is a must-watch.
