Unbelievable

:

Season 1
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 13, 2019
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
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Where To Watch

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Critic Reviews

  1. Slate
    Reviewed by: Inkoo Kang
    Sep 12, 2019
    50
    This tale of unusual decency and competence feels nearly as depressing as the criminal sadism they’re investigating. Duvall and Rasmussen are based on actual detectives, but the show’s universe is so bleak they don’t entirely feel a part of it—or of ours. Unbelievable so meticulously catalogs the endless multitudes, terrifying randomness, and near inevitability of darkness that it makes it hard to see the light.
  2. Slant Magazine
    Reviewed by: Niv M. Sultan
    Sep 4, 2019
    50
    Unbelievable commits to shedding light on the shortcomings of law enforcement, from the mishandling of sexual violence cases to the prevalence of so-called “bad apples” within police forces. The series, however, addresses these systemic issues heavy-handedly and delivers its didacticism in stilted dialogue.

Awards & Rankings

28
#28 Best TV Season of 2019
29
#29 Most Discussed TV Season of 2019
88
#88 Most Shared TV Season of 2019

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 80 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 67 out of 80
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 80
  3. Negative: 8 out of 80
  1. UncleWillard
    Sep 16, 2019
    6
    Great performances and a solid true crime series, but also a bit sexist, imo. It seems to presuppose that male cops at the very least don'tGreat performances and a solid true crime series, but also a bit sexist, imo. It seems to presuppose that male cops at the very least don't care about rape/sexual assault or at worst are misogynist to the point they are too preoccupied with assaulting their own partners. I get the desire for strong female characters, and that these rapes, as with most rapes, happen to women, but to infer that male cops don't do their jobs because of some mach misogynist thing is disingenuous.… Full Review »
  2. OlivierPiel
    Sep 15, 2019
    0
    This show represents what is wrong with many "socially aware" television shows in America. In its desire to be as "truthful" and "realistic"This show represents what is wrong with many "socially aware" television shows in America. In its desire to be as "truthful" and "realistic" as possible, we are served, in this case, the most detailed process of the police work, hospital, administrations etc...pertaining to a rape.
    The camera wants us to feel "as if we were there".
    However it fails miserably in its depiction of pain because we are engulfed by the tediousness of it all and end up not caring about the victim because her pain becomes totally alien to us.
    With just the eye of a camera to look at her, we are left with her blank stares most of the times, and the same recollection of the crime over and over again. As such, we are indeed, deep in the action, but, just like the cop or the nurse or the attorney or even the best friend or closest confident, utterly clueless about the reality of the victim's feelings, ideas, thoughts, desires etc....
    The only interesting angle of this musing on "rape" and the only one that could do it justice would be a naturalistic novel (think Darwin or Emile Zola maybe) that would reveal all the inner workings of our protagonist.
    ....or what a show like Rectify did back a few years. Or, people should watch the excellent "Elle"by Verhoeven with Isabelle Huppert for a really clever "feminist" take on rape. But that would require imagination, which the writers in that show sorely lacked.    … Full Review »
  3. carldamnit
    Sep 19, 2019
    0
    why are they being so mean to her? the over the topness at times when she's not being raped is funny and then I feel bad because this is about rape
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