Netflix is overflowing with content, and while there’s no shortage of less-than-stellar options, digging a bit deeper can uncover some true masterpieces. However, not all impactful series leave you feeling uplifted; some can stir up a more complex cocktail of emotions, ranging from frustration to utter heartbreak.
One such series has recently been the talk of the town—or more specifically, the Netflix Bangers Facebook group. Initially released in 2019, this mini-series based on real-life events has gripped viewers with its powerful narrative and emotional depth.
A member of the group shared their experience: “Sometimes a movie is so powerful… you can only watch it once… This series had me teary-eyed at the end great series overall loved it 10/10.”
Others chimed in, echoing the sentiment but also acknowledging the series’ heavy nature. “I couldn’t get through it, but I said I would go back and watch it completely one day,” one commenter admitted. Another added, “Can’t forget till today though, it’s been over three years since I watched it.”
The emotional responses didn’t stop there. “It will forever and I mean forever haunt me. Harrowing is not even near [to] the way it makes you feel,” another person described. The reality that the events depicted were true only intensified the viewers’ reactions. “To find out this was true after watching it just broke my heart even more. I just can’t believe how they did these young boys. They are so strong,” a viewer remarked.
“It made me mad… then watching the [show] broke my heart!!!” another shared, highlighting the emotional rollercoaster experienced by many.
For those wondering if the reactions are overblown, the series in question, *When They See Us*, is definitely worth your time. This crime drama miniseries dives into the notorious Central Park jogger case of 1989, where five Black and Latino youths were wrongfully convicted of raping and assaulting a white woman in New York City.
In reality, their convictions were eventually vacated, and the group won a significant settlement from the city in 2014 for their wrongful conviction.
Since its release, *When They See Us* has been lauded critically, receiving 71 nominations at the Primetime Emmy Awards and securing the Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Limited Series. Its profound impact on viewers underscores its quality and the resonant, albeit painful, truths it brings to light about justice and human resilience.