'Baby Reindeer' Review: Richard Gadd's nail-biting thriller series leans heavily on emotions
LONDON, ENGLAND: 'Baby Reindeer' crafted by Richard Gadd, is a deep dive into psychological turmoil that grips you from the start. The seven-part mini-series pulls from Gadd's own experiences where a stalker sent him over 41,000 emails over three years.
Projecting his real experiences and trauma in a fictionalized way, Gadd, in his latest Netflix series, appears as Donny Dunn, a struggling comedian who gets entangled in a disturbing relationship with his stalker, Martha (portrayed by Jessica Gunning).
Donny's journey in the series is a rollercoaster of emotions. He works as a bartender while trying to make it big in comedy. Martha, 42, walks into his bar one day, looking visibly distraught and broke. Seeing her drowning in her sorrows, Donny offers her a free cup of tea. However, his encounter with Martha sets off a chain of bizarre events where Donny can't get rid of her, finds himself being bombarded by her emails, and surprisingly feels drawn to her intriguing personality.
Netflix's 'Baby Reindeer' feels like a therapy
The series doesn't shy away from tough themes. Donny, the protagonist, grapples with the trauma of sexual assault followed by his confusion regarding his own sexuality. As years pass, he continues to suffer through the aftermath of the assault which explains his lack of confidence and cravings for attention.
His dynamic with Teri, a trans woman, masterfully projects into a journey of shame and self-discovery. Despite 'Baby Reindeer' riding on heavy themes of introspection and turmoil, Gadd creates necessary balance through occasional humor.
The show also tackles drug abuse, power dynamics, and assault with unflinching honesty, painting a stark picture of the entertainment industry's dark side.
Richard Gadd and Jessica Gunning deliver touching performances in 'Baby Reindeer'
Richard Gadd's performance is raw and as authentic as it can get. He skillfully captures Donny's inner struggles that resonate deeply with the audience. Jessica Gunning as Martha leaves a lasting impression as she portrays complex emotions all at once.
Her ability to seamlessly transition between assertiveness, anger, vulnerability, and hopefulness speaks volumes about her talent as a versatile actress. Backed by chilling performances, 'Baby Reindeer' is indeed a thought-provoking watch that offers an unfiltered glimpse into the troubled emotions of a broken human.
'Baby Reindeer' trailer
'Baby Reindeer' is now streaming on Netflix
