Netflix Viewers Left Horrified By 'Sickening' True Crime Doc Girl In The Picture

The unsettling film, which dropped on the streaming service earlier this month, focuses on the story of Sharon Marshall, who died mysteriously in a hit-and-run accident in 1990.

Marshall was a young mum whose son, Michael Anthony Hughes, was kidnapped by convicted murderer and rapist Franklin Delano Floyd in 1994. He has tragically never been found.

The case takes an unexpected twist when Marshall’s real identity is investigated and ultimately revealed, solving a 30-year-old mystery.

The official Netflix synopsis reads: “In this documentary, a woman found dying by a road leaves behind a son, a man claiming to be her husband — and a mystery that unfolds like a nightmare."

Netflix viewers have been left terrified by the feature-length documentary and have since taken to Twitter to post their immediate reactions.

"This Netflix doc Girl in the Picture might be the most f**ked thing I ever watched," one viewer shared on social media.

Another Twitter user called the documentary 'devastating' and called for people to be aware of Black, Indigenous and women of colour who are suffering similar crimes. "Netflix’s Girl in the Picture is one of the most devastating true crime cases I’ve ever heard," they wrote.

"With that in mind, there are endless cases we’ve never heard of and likely never will. Countless women are being abused and exploited in our world, especially BIPOC women."

A third Twitter user shared: "I’ve watched many messed up crime documentaries yet Girl in the Picture on Netflix managed to keep me shocked and horrified throughout."

While a fourth tweeted: "Girl in the Picture on Netflix is absolutely one of the most horrific, sickening, frightening things I’ve watched. I’m at a loss for words".

The positive reviews kept pouring in on social media, with another viewer tweeting: "Girl In The Picture on Netflix has so many twists and layers!

"It might be one of the most shocking, and horrific true crime documentaries I’ve watched in a long time!"

The release of the documentary comes after investigative journalist Matt Birkbeck first wrote about Marshall's story in his books, A Beautiful Child and Finding Sharon, which detailed how she went from being an ambitious teenager and a traumatic event as a toddler that changed the course of her life.

Netflix is also releasing a five-part podcast, also titled Girl in the Picture, which will include ‘complementary information and interviews not seen in the film’.

The first two episodes of the audio miniseries were released on the You Can’t Make This Up feed on 29 June, with subsequent episodes released once a week.

Netflix advises viewers to watch the documentary film first before delving into the podcast to avoid spoilers.

Girl in the Picture is available to watch on Netflix now.