It’s the perfect storm: dark humor melting into the disconcerting chill of sexual violence and sick stalking. A hymn to discomfort – almost to lack of air – but one that glues us to the screen through the trump card of truth. The miniseries “Baby reindeer”, released on Netflix on April 11, is currently the most watched on the platform. And he deserves it.
Written and starring the Scottish Richard Gadd, it tells the story of Donny Dunn, a comedian in search of success who, during the day, works in a bar. There is a mix of pain and kindness in this character – only later will we understand why – which leads him to feel empathy for those who are also unwell.
But, in the blink of an eye, the innocent offer of tea to a cash-strapped customer turns into a nightmare. Martha, brilliantly played by actress Jessica Gunning, builds a whole love relationship with Dunn in her head, calls him “baby reindeer”, chases him, praises him without being able to stop.
And, on the other side, he finds a “wounded animal”, tremendously scarred by a rape and unable to deal with the question that Martha is always asking him: “Someone hurt you, didn’t they?”. Yes, they hurt Donny, but, above all, they hurt Richard, which makes the production even more raw.
The series also opens up a reflection on police ineptitude in the face of cases of “stalking” and real persecution, and it is only several years and thousands of emails and telephone messages later that the judicial process finds a direction.
One of the most beautiful moments is Donny’s speech in one of his failed shows as a stage comedian, in front of an audience absolutely incredulous at the Scottish man’s shocking revelations: rape, the frustration of realizing the mediocrity of an idol, doubt about sexual preferences , extreme insecurity and the inability to love generated by the total lack of self-esteem.
The monologue is so intimate, sincere and devastating that it is impossible not to feel nauseated. But it’s all there. And there is only one way to honor the courage of those who share stories like this: listening to them, reading them, seeing them. It all started with tea and thank goodness. There are masterpieces that are born over the counter of a pub.
