Title: The Shocking True Story of “American Nightmare” – How Netflix’s New Crime Documentary Puts a Spotlight on Injustice
When news of Denise Huskins’ abduction first broke, the story was dubbed “the ‘Gone Girl’ case” by the media, owing to its similarities to the 2014 David Fincher film. For those who’ve watched “American Nightmare,” the police and the media are both guilty of victim-blaming and inadequate investigation. As one X user described the docuseries, “Police don’t solve or investigate—they find who they can easily build the easiest case against—and the media helps them do it with little regard to truth.” It’s an eye-opening documentation of inadequacy in the criminal justice system, especially compared to so-called “copaganda” shows like “Law & Order,” in which the truth is always meted out. In reality, less than a third of sexual assaults are reported to the police.
The Inadequate Police Response and the Trauma it Caused
The inadequate police response made Huskins’ ordeal all the more traumatizing. “It didn’t make any sense to have law enforcement — the people who have the power to investigate and to help — just turn against you,” she told Netflix’s Tudum. “It made it that much more frightening. … There was just so many layers of betrayal and injustice.”
“American Nightmare” shows the all too frequent reality of an unbelieving and largely ineffectual police force, making it stand apart from other run-of-the-mill true-crime stories. Huskins says in the series, “I don’t know what needs to happen to me, what needs to happen to any woman for them to be believed.”
Taking Action Against Injustice
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN’s National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).