What the series Baby Reindeer is about and why one of the most high-profile new releases triggered many Netflix viewers

A new mini-series from Netflix called Baby Reindeer has taken the network by storm. The black comedy with thriller elements is based on the autobiographical one-man show of the same name by Richard Gadd, who played the lead role.

The story tells about the real-life experience of the actor, who was harassed and sexually assaulted at the age of 20. The series explores the themes of ambition and fame, trauma, obsession, mental illness and shame. What is impressive about Baby Raindeer is that the plot develops throughout the seven episodes. The show literally captures your interest and doesn't let go until it reaches the finale, Collider writes. Warning: you may feel physically and mentally exhausted after watching it.

What is it about?

The story begins in 2015 when a bartender named Donny treats a random customer named Martha to a cup of tea. After this act of kindness, the woman becomes infatuated with her new acquaintance. Martha comes to the pub every day, saying she is a lawyer and just dropping in for a moment, but she spends hours talking to Donny.

As Martha's affection for him grows, he realizes that she is not just in love with him but obsessed with him. Donny realizes her true motives when he goes to perform a comedy show and suddenly Martha appears in the audience.

Her stalking moves from emails and Facebook messages to physical harassment of Donnie and his family. We also learn more about the protagonist's past and the trauma he experienced, which gives us an explanation for how he ended up working at a bar and living in his ex-girlfriend's mother's house.

Criticism and feedback

Some scenes may be triggering for viewers. The series explores the feelings that arise during and after violence. It is an honest and thorough look at the complex emotions a victim experiences, as well as the complicated relationship he or she may have with their abuser.

Although it's a difficult story, it's also beautifully told and is important. The frank and personal nature of the story becomes a window into a person's life and experience that we don't often see in movies and television. Baby Raindeer deserves both to be in the spotlight and the praise it receives. There is nothing like this series and its unique story makes it vital to the television landscape.

The show received a rating of 8.1 out of 10 on IMDb, and viewers on Rotten Tomatoes rated The Stag at 83%. Even the "master of horror" Stephen King shared his impressions of the series. On his Twitter page, the writer wrote, "BABY RAINDEER: Holy sh**", emphasizing the drama's poignant plot.

It is interesting that a parallel can be drawn between the new Netflix series and the works of Stephen King. In particular, with his novel Misery, which touches on the theme of insane fanaticism. The story centers on writer Paul Sheldon, the author of the popular novels about the heroine Misery Chastain.

However, he considers his works to be of low standard. After a night at the bar, Sheldon gets drunk and has an accident. He is rescued by Annie Wilkes, a local former nurse who is a fan of the Misery novels. Paul realizes that the woman is mentally ill: she has catatonic episodes, sudden fits of rage, and childish swearing. When she finds out about Misery's death in the last novel, she locks Paul alone in the house without food, water, or painkillers.

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