Warning: this article contains discussion of sexual assault some may find distressing
A new true-crime documentary on Netflix has left viewers describing it as one of the most disturbing they’ve ever seen.
Produced by Louis Theroux, the film delves into the case of philosophy professor Anna Stubblefield and her involvement with Derrick Johnson, a 30-year-old non-verbal man diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
Cerebral palsy refers to a group of disorders that impact movement and posture.
Their paths crossed when Derrick’s brother, John, approached Stubblefield, who was his professor at the time, to discuss his brother’s condition.
Following this meeting, Stubblefield offered to assist Derrick in improving his communication skills.
Although married, Stubblefield claims she and Derrick developed a consensual sexual relationship.
However, Derrick’s mother, Daisy Johnson, argues that her son was not capable of participating in either physical or emotional intimacy.
The documentary recounts the relationship between Stubblefield and Derrick, as well as the ensuing legal conflict that resulted in a criminal trial and felony conviction.
Directed by Nick August-Perna of The Swell Season, “Tell Them You Love Me” is described by Netflix as ‘scandalous’ and examines ‘the controversial relationship between a professor and a nonverbal man that leads to a trial over race, disability, and power’.
Initially, Stubblefield pleaded not guilty to charges but was convicted of aggravated sexual assault in 2016, receiving a 12-year prison sentence.
In 2017, her conviction was overturned by an appeals court, which ordered a retrial.
A year later, she pleaded guilty to ‘third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact’, though she maintains in the documentary that she was ‘not guilty of a crime’.
Following its release on the streaming platform, viewers have shared their reactions on social media.
One user on X (formerly Twitter) remarked: “Tell Them You Love Me might be one of the most unsettling documentaries I’ve ever watched on Netflix.”
Another user mentioned: “Just watched Tell Them You Love Me, and I really want to have a conversation about it. I’m so conflicted because I can see both ends of the spectrum.”
Yet another viewer expressed that it made them feel ‘very uncomfortable’.
“Tell Them You Love Me has to be one of the most disturbing documentaries on Netflix.” another viewer commented.
The documentary is currently available for streaming on Netflix.