Netflix’s Unbelievable is the Perfect Companion to American Nightmare

Here’s everything you need to know about Netflix’s first investigation into a crime that was literally unbelievable, but literally real.

Why you should watch “Unbelievable”

Incredible ranks among the most aptly named television shows of all time. It’s all about people’s inability to believe stories of sex crimes that deviate even slightly from their expectations… just like we saw in American Nightmare.

The eight-episode limited series delves into the story of Marie Adler (Kaitlyn Dever), a former Washington foster girl who survives a home invasion and rape and tries to report the crime to the police. Due to Adler’s troubled past, poor police training, lack of visible evidence, and enormous bias, the detectives leading the investigation do not believe Marie. Under threat of false accusation, they force Marie to retell her story.

Later, two Colorado detectives Grace Rasmussen (Toni Collette) and Karen Duvall (Merritt Wever) investigate a sexual assault case in their jurisdiction that bears similarities to Marie’s experience. The two stories eventually intersect.

Incredible It is both an exciting and challenging watch. The first episode plays out like a horror movie, examining the outdated and dehumanizing process of reporting sexual assault from the victim’s perspective. By the time the decidedly more sensitive and competent Colorado detective duo takes over, the show has evolved into a gripping crime drama… without losing sight of Marie’s plight.

Like American Nightmarethere is something vaguely resembling justice at the end Incredible, so that it can be watched by viewers who want to reach the end. Aside from the series’ compelling themes, the acting is consistently excellent. Dever (who will next be seen in a crucial role on Last of us Season 2) gives me the best job of my career. Weaver and Collette deserve their own season True Detective.