Baby Reindeer
Netflix’sBaby Reindeeris based on a true story of a haunting real stalker and abuse.
The series has a captivating aura akin to populartrue-crime documentaries on Netflix, although with added layers of fictionalization.
The black comedy-dramathriller miniseriesfollows Donny Dunn, an aspiring comedian and writer, who struggles to find success.
Martha, however, found him hilarious, which gave him immense validation.
Gadd also felt a lack of belonging at the bar where he worked and felt disconnected from people.
In that context,Martha’s instant attraction to him made him feel extremely seen and affirmed.
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Although there were instances when he feared for his safety, he remained physically stronger than his harasser.
Baby Reindeer is a dark comedy series based on a true story and a stage play of the same name. It centers around Gus, a barista who becomes the focus of an intense and unsettling obsession by one of his customers, Martha. After a seemingly harmless interaction, Martha’s fascination with Gus spirals out of control and begins to wreak havoc on his life.
Yet, he was without a doubt a victim of stalking.
Gadd soon realized Martha’s obsessive nature and tried to get out of it, but couldn’t.
It’s perceived as less physically threatening, less common, and trivialized.
Only 6.6 percent of reported stalkers face charges, and a mere 1.4 percent are convicted.
Gadd had to meticulously record and sift through all of Martha’s messagesto pinpoint instances of direct threats.
This undertaking consumed him.
Gadd explained:
“I was getting told off for harassing the police about being harassed.”
Yet,Gadd doesnt antagonize the police or blame themfor his enduring difficulties.
His empathetic attitude also extends to Martha herself.
However,he insists that Martha also shouldn’t be blamed.
The intimacy and familiarity only make it more thorny to navigate.
More importantly,Gadd views stalking and harassment as manifestations of mental illness.
I think that is so powerful."
Gadd also won the Edinburgh Comedy award for the show.
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When Martha first appears in episode 1, many viewers might wonder why Donny is engaging with her.
For Gadd, this cringe-inducing feeling is necessary, and the audience must question his actions.
These changes include therearrangement of timelines to improve narrative flow.
Ultimately, adapting a solo theater show into a 7-episode Netflix miniseries is no mean feat.
All seven episodes ofBaby Reindeerare available to stream on Netflix.
It certainly served that purpose for him.
