Viewers are comparing 'disgusting' new Louis Theroux true-crime documentary to Baby Reindeer
Warning: This article contains discussion of sexual assault which some readers may find distressing
Netflix is clearly the go-to place if you're looking for a TV series, movie or doc to really sink your teeth into.
One of the streamer's most-hyped series to date has been Richard Gadd's highly controversial Baby Reindeer, a miniseries based on his real-life experiences with a stalker that came out back in April.
Since then, a new true-crime documentary has been released earlier this month (14 June) and US Netflix users are now comparing the 'disgusting' new Louis Theroux docu-film to Gadd's drama.
Advert
The doc in question, Tell Them You Love Me, focuses on the extremely controversial relationship between Derrick Johnson and Anna Stubblefield.
It all started back in 2009 when university professor Anna, who was married at the time, came to meet Derrick, the non-verbal and disabled younger brother of one of her students, John Johnson.
The 39-year-old ethics lecturer had been approached by John about his brother's disability - cerebral palsy - later bringing Anna and Derrick, 28, face to face for the first time, with the former assisting the latter with his communication.
After teaching him how to use a keyboard with LED screen to type, Derrick soon began taking university classes.
It was during this time that Anna subsequently claimed that - though she was wed to someone else - the two fell in love and began an allegedly consensual, sexual relationship.
Little did she know at the time, however, that in the years to come, she'd been convicted of the sexual assault of the man she claimed to have loved, after his mother learned of the intimate nature of their relationship.
Daisy Johnson later argued in court that her son lacked the capacity to engage in both physical and emotional intimacy, claiming his ability to communicate in the way that Anna claimed he had wouldn't have been possible without her manipulating his hands.
The heartbroken mother claimed that her son been declared by the state to have the mental capacity of a toddler, accusing Anna of taking advantage of this.
As a result, in 2015 Anna was found guilty of two counts of first degree aggravated sexual assault and sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Two years later, her appeal was granted and conviction revoked on grounds of a technicality.
Since then, Netflix users were quick to compare Theroux's doc with Gadd's series, with one X user writing: "Tell Them You Love Me is the most effed up thing I've watched since Baby Reindeer but even more. Disgusting."
"I haven’t finished watching Baby Reindeer. After watching Tell Them You Love Me I don’t think I can stand it lol," admitted another.
Theroux has since opened up about the docu-film, telling the Sun: "At its heart is a mystery — whether two people were in a Romeo and Juliet love story or whether it is a horrific crime.
"I think its success speaks to how powerful and emotionally complex the story is. You never quite know where it will go next. It was nearly ten years ago that I first came across this story. It was a struggle to get the film commissioned.”
Executive producer Arron Fellows noted: "Its success shows how captivated audiences are by real-life stories, even sensitive ones."
Louis added: "It shows films you might think are risky or troubling or 'difficult' can also be compelling and reach a big audience."
Baby Reindeer is currently available to stream on Netflix, while Tell Them You Love Me can be streamed on US Netflix or Sky.
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact The Survivors Trust for free on 08088 010 818, available 10am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-3pm and 6pm-8pm Monday to Thursday, 10am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-3pm on Fridays, 10am-12.30pm on Saturdays and 6pm-8pm on Sundays
Topics: Netflix, Documentaries, Baby Reindeer, TV And Film, Tyla Recommends, True Crime, Real Life
Rhiannon Ingle