Unbelievable

:

Season 1
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 13, 2019
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
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User Reviews

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  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'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 inferGreat 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.… Expand
  2. 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
  3. jeremyp
    Sep 15, 2019
    9
    As well produced, directed, acted, written series as there is these days. From Wever to Dever and Collette as the mainstays to the smart script, and excellent direction. A female tour de force. Taken from an article in Pro Publica (writers both male) and with names changed to protect even the guilty, it resists the lure of being formulaic, by etching practically every character deeplyAs well produced, directed, acted, written series as there is these days. From Wever to Dever and Collette as the mainstays to the smart script, and excellent direction. A female tour de force. Taken from an article in Pro Publica (writers both male) and with names changed to protect even the guilty, it resists the lure of being formulaic, by etching practically every character deeply enough to allow for great cameos for the smaller roles and star turns for the main ones. Even the time line switches work seamlessly.… Expand
  4. Filazafer
    Sep 15, 2019
    10
    This series should win awards. There are just so many things to like. A great true story, great writing, great acting, realistic views on police investigations, foster parents and foster children, trauma, victim blaming, the media, metoo, domestic violence... Everyone should watch for entertainment and education.
  5. 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" 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    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.    … Expand
  6. Nobilis1984
    Sep 14, 2019
    3
    I don't get warm with the series. First of all, I don't like the visual.
    This intermediate thing of real image and anime looks **** Then please correct anime pictures.
    Then the plot is terribly boring.
  7. Gregdel69
    Sep 16, 2019
    10
    Excellent show and one of the best of the year! People saying it’s « boring » and « anti white male propaganda » are either stupid or drunk. People complain about everything in 2019, EVERYTHING. Very good story, amazing performances, it was griping from start to finish!
  8. kman5473
    Oct 22, 2019
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. My biggest issues with this have to do with the writing. I really do not like all of the dramatic liberties that were taken in telling this story. For instance, Detective Grace Rasmussen's character. She is established as a true veteran of the force, and yet she consistently breaks rules, regulation, has emotional breakdowns about the fact that she feels like she's the only one who cares and that because the people she is working with are not social performing to her expectation that she has a right to be rude and critical of everyone she works with. I understand that this whole subject is emotional, but I perceived this as a degrading/narcissistic character decision that really takes away from the team effort that goes into solving any and all police cases. In addition to this, Detective Karen Duvall is the officer that searches the culprit when they make the arrest which is completely illegal and unrealistic. It's 2019 -- can't we enforce these very real details about the police in our narrative stories now? Beyond the criticisms, however, I really liked the first episode and the depiction of how when Marie went through something very traumatic, especially being so young, she was in such shock that she really had issue functioning. I liked the acting and cinematography a lot. Overall, I just am very critical of the lazy writing that gets put in to try to establish a clear bias. If our main characters are truly good detectives, then they would operate within the confines of regulation, law, and order. Their passion should come out in how hard they work, not by breaking all the rules and treating their coworkers terribly. What a tragedy that they end up being as narcissistic as they are; a stain on an otherwise very important show, with very sensitive subject matter.… Expand
  9. tcmc
    Oct 1, 2019
    10
    Beautifully written, directed and acted, "Unbelievable" is one of the best limited series in 2019, perhaps better than the darker "Mindhunter."
  10. TheVegan
    Sep 27, 2019
    8
    I've watched 3 episodes and the first episode was very hard to take. That being said it was an excellent episode just what occurs is very upsetting. The show is gripping and I only had time to watch one episode but couldn't stop so I watched 3 episodes. I will no doubt polish off the next 5 episodes in a day or two. Bottom line is I highly recommend this series.
    UPDATE: It's 3 days after    I've watched 3 episodes and the first episode was very hard to take. That being said it was an excellent episode just what occurs is very upsetting. The show is gripping and I only had time to watch one episode but couldn't stop so I watched 3 episodes. I will no doubt polish off the next 5 episodes in a day or two. Bottom line is I highly recommend this series.
    UPDATE: It's 3 days after my above review and I have finished the series and I have to say I loved it. I highly recommend it.    … Expand
  11. pnoyfilmtvadik
    Oct 17, 2019
    10
    I love love LOOOOOVE this series! It's as perfect as it comes; great acting, great script, moving, meaningful, balanced, COMPLETE! A definite must watch.
  12. dispencer187
    Sep 25, 2019
    8
    So because this show depicts some of the male detectives as misogynistic that means there is no merit to the story? Reality is hard to watch sometimes, doesn't make it any less true. Of course there is some fictionalization but the story stayed true for the most part.
  13. JPenguinEsq
    Jan 14, 2020
    10
    Easily one of the best shows I watched all year (2019). Better than most movies.
    Script and acting top notch. Highly recommended.
  14. jimfoster
    Sep 26, 2019
    10
    One of the best things I've ever seen on TV. The portrayal of the male cops as well intentioned and doing their best but unable to be as effective as women in this job shows why we need more women's voices in our media.
  15. filmluver
    Dec 5, 2019
    9
    There is so much h to like about this series. Great writing gives the excellent cast a lot to work with and the characters are richly developed. At times I found it a bit slow, but I'm really glad I stayed to the end. I'm not often a fan of crime dramas, but when they are inhabited by complex, deeply human characters, I'm in. I'll be recommending this one.
  16. Qhasi
    Jul 23, 2022
    9
    The series is so well written. With two compelling storylines, two cops on the hunt for an elusive serial rapist and on the other hand, it's the story of a young woman who was mistreated by the justice system. All I'll say is that the ending is very emotional and soul satisfying.
  17. Likovsky
    Oct 7, 2019
    8
    This work does not tell us about gender inequality, but that we need to believe that somewhere there are those who are the same as you, ready to fight injustice and not give up. Bravo.
  18. jzathajenius
    Sep 23, 2019
    7
    Its pretty good, if a little over the top and heavy handed. Weaver is really great, without a doubt the shows MVP. The rest of the cast is ok but the dialogue is sometimes pretty damn cringe, at times feeling like an episode of Law and Order SVU. But the procedural subject matter is intriguing, as is portraying the trauma rape victims are subject to, both during and after their assault.Its pretty good, if a little over the top and heavy handed. Weaver is really great, without a doubt the shows MVP. The rest of the cast is ok but the dialogue is sometimes pretty damn cringe, at times feeling like an episode of Law and Order SVU. But the procedural subject matter is intriguing, as is portraying the trauma rape victims are subject to, both during and after their assault. Its a worthwhile watch, but definitely could have used some more realistic dialogue and a more gritty tone.… Expand
  19. Noclare01
    Jan 10, 2020
    0
    Don't understand where great reviews coming from??? This has to be the worst most tedious thing we have ever watched on telly. The acting was TERRIBLE, I mean...really, really bad, which made it just totally UNBELIEVABLE! Had to keep going, once we had started into it, to see what happened with Marie, but, jeezo, it was hard to stay awake, or to stop being irritated by atrocious acting.Don't understand where great reviews coming from??? This has to be the worst most tedious thing we have ever watched on telly. The acting was TERRIBLE, I mean...really, really bad, which made it just totally UNBELIEVABLE! Had to keep going, once we had started into it, to see what happened with Marie, but, jeezo, it was hard to stay awake, or to stop being irritated by atrocious acting. How on earth did this get screened????… Expand
  20. HavanCross
    Sep 4, 2020
    10
    Stunning drama, almost documentary style despite the presence of star Toni Collette. A must watch, incredibly subtle direction and acting.
  21. Xbluannax
    Nov 20, 2021
    8
    Highly recommend watching this and reading the book as well. Pretty graphic scenes so be aware.

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. The Telegraph
    Reviewed by: Amy Jones
    Jan 3, 2020
    100
    Unbelievable isn’t just a gripping story, it’s an incredibly compelling argument for why we need to take a frank look at the way victims of sexual assault are treated and how seriously we take them.
    Read full review
  2. The Guardian
    Reviewed by: Hannah J Davies
    Dec 4, 2019
    80
    It could’ve been another drab procedural, heavy on cliches borrowed from a thousand crime stories before it. Thankfully, it manages to find another way, by focusing on the grey area of its title. ... It’s about who gets to have their story heard, who is allowed to be believed. It’s about the power dynamics that underpin the criminal justice system and society at large.
    Read full review
  3. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Hank Stuever
    Sep 23, 2019
    80
    Gripping eight-episode series. ... It’s about a string of serial rapes (triggers galore), yet the writing and execution are refreshingly empathetic toward victims, procedure and justice.
    Read full review
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