Netflix's documentary on the story of Cyntoia Brown Long dropped on the streaming platform this week, but some viewers were left unimpressed.
Although the doc, Murder to Mercy: The Cyntoia Brown Story, appears to be a gripping watch, many viewers are refusing to tune in after Cyntoia revealed she wasn't approached or involved.
The programme itself focuses on the harrowing story of the 32-year-old and how in 2006, she was sentenced to life in prison for the first-degree murder of 43-year-old Nashville real estate agent Johnny Allen.
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Allen had reportedly paid to have sex with the sex trafficking victim Cyntoia (who was just 16 at the time).
She maintained that she had acted in self-defence and that she feared for her life during the encounter, but prosecutors argued that the motive was not self-defence as Cyntoia claimed, but robbery.
Over the years, the case gained international traction, attracting the attention of press and celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Rihanna and Lana Del Ray who used the hashtag #freecyntoiabrown to demand justice.
In August 2019, after 15 years behind bars, Cyntoia was granted clemency by Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam.
The Netflix documentary (which includes footage from a previous doc) follows the case, including the backstory about Cyntoia's childhood, where she is described as "a runaway - beaten, pimped and raped."
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It also delves into the awful injustice, featuring real life footage and interviews.
It's had a huge affect on viewers. While some have said they're "angry crying" over the injustice that plays out in the show, others have refused to watch at all.
This is because on 15th April, Cyntoia tweeted explaining she hadn't had any prior knowledge about the documentary.
"My husband and I were as surprised as everyone else when we first heard the news because we did not participate in any way," she said, although the tweet has now been deleted.
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The Daily Beast report that Cyntoia will now be promoting her book, Free Cyntoia: My Search for Redemption in the American Prison System along with the doc, in "an exclusive interview".
But it's not stopped fans from being unhappy over the programme. One wrote: "I know it's gonna be tempting but y'all know we can't wAtch that cyntoia brown story on Netflix!"
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While another said: "Do not watch that Cyntoia Brown docu on Netflix, they ain't give her no coins for that smh."
One social media user added: "Wait now I don't wanna watch that Cyntoia Brown documentary if she didn't approve of it."
Tyla has reached out to Netflix, who declined to comment.
Topics: Entertainment News, TV News, TV Entertainment, Netflix