• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Netflix users 'can't stop crying' at 'masterpiece' series that's based on heartbreaking true story

Home> Film & TV> Netflix

Published 17:22 31 May 2025 GMT+1

Netflix users 'can't stop crying' at 'masterpiece' series that's based on heartbreaking true story

The series is most definitely a difficult watch

Gerrard Kaonga

Gerrard Kaonga

Warning: This article contains discussion of rape which some readers may find distressing

Netflix viewers have commended the brilliant series despite the real-world details proving to be difficult to comprehend.

There's no doubting that Netflix subscribers have quite a lot of shows to choose from, which makes it hard to know when you've picked a good one.

Advert

But this particular one has proven to be as brilliant as it is difficult to watch.

When They See Us released way back in 2019 and shed light on a brutal miscarriage of justice.

The four-part drama mini-series is focused on a true notorious case that happened in New York some 30 years ago, known as the 'Central Park Jogger case'.

Marquis Rodriguez played Raymond Santana in the hard-hitting series (Netflix)
Marquis Rodriguez played Raymond Santana in the hard-hitting series (Netflix)

Advert

The show told the story of the five teenagers who were taken to trial and wrongly charged in connection with the assault and rape of Trisha Meili, who had been running in the Manhattan, New York, park when she was attacked in 1989.

The 28-year-old was so badly injured in the assault - sustaining injuries like a fractured skull and eye socket, hypothermia, brain damage, hemorrhagic shock, internal bleeding and a loss of blood - that she was induced in a coma for 12 days.

The TV series touches upon the lives and the families of the five Black and Latino men who were prosecuted and served time between seven to 13 years behind bars for the crime they didn't commit.

Fans took to social media to praise the series, despite it being a difficult watch.

One user wrote on Twitter: "I just wanted to throw up some praise for what I wholeheartedly believe to be an imperfect MASTERPIECE. I mean, yes. At times, it goes a BIT overboard with the melodrama and theatrical hyperbole.

"And yes, it misrepresents and/or leaves out a few details here and there. But it is always in service of telling a truly RIGHTEOUS story.

Advert

Another said: "This TV show was absolutely amazing. I have never spoken about a series so much and couldn't recommend it more! ! The series made me cry so many times, it honestly felt like I was experiencing the same thing just watching it."

While a third added: “Absolutely one of the best things I have ever watched in my life.”

With another simply writing: "Very difficult at times to watch, but... it's perfect."

The five teenagers were exonerated years later (Netflix)
The five teenagers were exonerated years later (Netflix)

Advert

The case rocked New York at the time, and when the suspects came to trial a year later, The New York Times reportedly dubbed the attack 'one of the most widely publicized crimes of the 1980s'.

It wasn't until a decade after the attack that serial rapist Matias Reyes confessed to attacking the woman, resulting in the five innocent men having their convictions suddenly dropped while incarcerated in 2002.

The innocent teens, Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana and Korey Wise, became known later as the Exonerated Five, who are now honored with a plaque in the infamous park.

When they were liberated, the five filed a lawsuit against the city in 2003 for wrongful conviction and were awarded a settlement in 2014. The cast, creator and freed five were also interviewed in a companion special with Oprah Winfrey which viewers also recommend watching afterwards.

Advert

If you've been affected by any of the issues in this article, you can contact The National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800.656.HOPE (4673), available 24/7. Or you can chat online via online.rainn.org

Featured Image Credit: Netflix

Topics: Film and TV, Netflix

Gerrard Kaonga
Gerrard Kaonga

Gerrard is a Journalist at UNILAD and has dived headfirst into covering everything from breaking global stories to trending entertainment news. He has a bachelors in English Literature from Brunel University and has written across a number of different national and international publications. Most notably the Financial Times, Daily Express, Evening Standard and Newsweek.

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Netflix viewers rave over forgotten drama that's ‘better the second time’ and you can binge it in one day
  • Unbelievable true story behind infamous flight hijacking in thrilling new Netflix series
  • Netflix viewers left sobbing after watching ‘incredibly powerful’ series based on a true story
  • 5 'eye-opening' Netflix true crime documentaries to watch after 'heartbreaking' Gabby Petito series

Choose your content:

2 hours ago
15 hours ago
a day ago
  • 2 hours ago

    93% rated Amazon Prime show had Stephen King labeling it 'really smart' as fans binge all three seasons

    Fans were blown away by the 'unique' show, which even got Stephen King's seal of approval

    Film & TV
  • 15 hours ago

    Netflix fans demand new season of forgotten drama with near-perfect RT score and 'amazing' cast

    The drama released in 2020 and is yet to receive a second season

    Film & TV
  • 15 hours ago

    All the evidence Amy Bradley is still alive after disappearing from Royal Caribbean cruise ship 27 years ago

    Amy Bradley, from Virginia, was just 23 when she vanished from the Rhapsody of the Seas cruise ship

    Film & TV
  • a day ago

    New Netflix film is on track to become its most-watched animated movie with over 80,000,000 views in just four weeks

    The movie debuted on June 20 and has amassed a huge cult following already

    Film & TV