When They See Us Review: A Painful, Necessary Retelling
9/10 — When They See Us (2019)
Pros
- Powerful performances
- Unflinching storytelling
- Important subject
Cons
- Emotionally draining
- Some portrayals disputed
Netflix’s four-part miniseries follows the five teenagers wrongfully convicted of a 1989 assault in New York’s Central Park, from their coerced confessions to their exoneration decades later.
What works
The performances are powerful, particularly Jharrel Jerome, who won an Emmy, and the series shows how racism and a rush to judgement ruined young lives. DuVernay doesn’t let the audience look away.
Where it falters
It’s emotionally draining, and its portrayal of some individuals has been disputed.
Verdict
Harrowing and powerful, a vital piece of TV.
