A Netflix crime drama miniseries based on a true story has been hailed as a ‘must-watch’ for its moving ending – and fans of hit series Adolescence will enjoy it

The Netflix series has been described as a ‘masterpiece’ and a ‘must-watch’ (Image: Netflix)

Finding something to watch on Netflix once you’ve exhausted your latest obsession can be a challenge, given the sheer number of options available. However, if you’re keen to immerse yourself in a gritty drama with an ending that will leave you reeling for days, then this “must-watch” crime drama miniseries could be your next television binge.

The “masterpiece” miniseries has been celebrated on social media as an “absolute favourite” – but there is one caveat. The series isn’t suited to those seeking light entertainment, as the subject matter is “heavy” and it certainly isn’t for the faint-hearted. Unbelievable first aired on Netflix in 2019, and it stars Toni Collette, Merritt Wever, and Kaitlyn Dever.

The series is based on the 2015 news article ‘An Unbelievable Story of Rape’ by T. Christian Miller and Ken Armstrong, which was written about the Washington and Colorado serial rape cases between 2008 and 2011.

The show follows Marie Adler (Dever) after she reports a sexual assault to the police, only to be pressured into withdrawing her statement after being accused of “attention seeking”, ultimately resulting in her being charged with filing a false report.

The series also follows two female detectives, Detective Grace Rasmussen (Collette) and Detective Karen Duvall (Wever), as they investigate a string of similar attacks and attempt to bring those responsible to justice.

Television enthusiasts recommended the show in a Reddit forum, where they applauded show creators Susannah Grant, Ayelet Waldman, and Michael Chabon for tackling the sensitive subject matter with such care.

One person said: “Just finished Unbelievable on Netflix and it was really good! I’m not usually a fan of cop shows, but I love Toni Collette, so I gave it a chance. It had a great cast with lots of strong female characters, and even though it was tough subject matter, the ending left me feeling satisfied.”

Those commenting on the post concurred with this assessment, noting that although the show is “heavy”, it never feels “exploitative”. This can be a pitfall when television programmes attempt to tackle serious issues, particularly when based on real events.

Others who had already seen the series were especially full of praise for the conclusion of the eight-episode miniseries, describing it as “satisfying” and something that “sticks with you” long after viewing, without leaving audiences feeling the narrative was left incomplete.

One commenter wrote: “That one surprised me too. It’s heavy but never feels exploitative, which is rare for that kind of story. Toni Collette just has this grounded energy that makes everything feel real without being melodramatic. Definitely sticks with you after.”

Another added: “I watched it when it first came out, and I loved it. I still remember how good the ending was!” Someone else simply shared: “My absolute favourite series to date.”

A fourth posted: “That was very good. I think Adolescence is my favourite of dramatised true crime, but Unbelievable was also heartbreaking and very well done.”

Unbelievable also boasts a strong score on the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, where it holds an approval rating of 98% amongst critics and 89% amongst all audiences. The website’s critical consensus describes the series as “heartbreaking and powerful”, claiming the show creators treated the true story with “grace and gravity”.

The programme secured Toni Collette a Critics’ Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series in 2020, and in October 2019, just one month after the series aired, Netflix announced it had been watched a staggering 32 million times.

Unbelievable is available to watch on Netflix now.