Baby Reindeer (2024) User Reviews

A very tough watch

[simondmfisher · 8/10 · 13 April 2024]

Possibly the toughest series I've ever watched, on so many levels - not least the fact that it's based on a true story.

Really had little idea where it was going, and was expecting something quite light hearted, if I'm honest.

Light hearted, it isn't.

It's a great cast, and the acting is very good.

I found it very difficult to like any of the characters at all - and going back to the fact that it's predominantly true - I found myself questioning some of the decisions that were made by the main protagonist.

I also found myself wanting to watch some of the scenes (including the stand up routines) through my fingers.

Episode 4 is particularly tough.

All that said, it's totally engrossing, and brings some huge issues to the fore.

Emotionally Raw, Powerful Baby Reindeer

[gpadillo · 9/10 · 13 April 2024]

Once again, Netflix goes out on a limb to reach beyond the predictable feelgood fair so many want - and possibly need - in dawn of dystopian age we find ourselves living in. Baby Reindeer is tagged as a dark comedy, and there are certainly comic aspects to it, but it is steeped - almost mired - in tragedy that already I'm hearing as misunderstood by viewers dismissing it as "unfunny." describing the tragic protagonist as "self absorbed" and "lazy." I found Donny neither of these, but rather twisted with self-hatred and crippled by indecisiveness. We sense his desire to be wanted and loved, fully aware aware that in his eyes he is unworthy of either.

As Donny, Richard Gadd's Donny gives among of the most harrowing, frustrating and ultimately heartbreaking performances I've seen this year. Lanky and raw, his eyes, mouth and jaw move constantly from a place of fear that is set across his scraggly bearded, hollow face, both handsome and homely. Every thought, every emotion plays across his mask in direct opposition of the poker face he imagines hides the true Donny.

The pathetic journey of this failing and flailing comic becomes painful to witness - almost unbearable at times, but that is the point isn't it? To show what real suffering is, to reveal that complete inability to move forward because one is held back by fear and hatred. This level of self-loathing is addictive and isn't meant to be pretty or funny. It isn't. It cannot be. It's made manifest through the jokes that die before they're emitted from his lips, from the juvenile props that fail to offer any comic relief from the torment. And yet, he goes on, confusing the familiar humiliation of his life as a kind of comfort.

I grew frustrated to the point of anger with Donny, thinking "there are easy fixes, mate . . . Just buck up, be honest be . . ." before realizing how many years I spent telling myself those same things. How frequently my looking in the mirror, telling myself "it's an easy fix, mate," when the reality was not only wasn't it not easy, there are times where there seemed to be no fix at all. Ever. Gadd captures this paralyzing inability with such poignancy I more than once found myself unable to hold back tears. At long last comes the moment of self-confrontation one sensed had to happen to make this all work. Without knowing Mr. Gadd, all I can say is, he brings us to that place where actor and character fuse into a oneness, something so beautifully raw, so abraded that can only be seen as a revelation, a catharsis. Yes, it's acting, masterful even, but it feels is more than that as well. Maybe I'm wrong. I don't want to know.

On the opposite side of that same coin is the chilling, harrowingly raw portrayal of Martha by Jessica Gunning. It is incredibly easy to dislike a creature such as Martha . . . Manipulative, foul, deceitful, and wonder why Donny allows himself to be torturously abused by her at every turn. But we know why don't we? First and foremost, he pities her but it's more than that. He, unwittingly at first recognizes that, beneath the surface, Martha is the same emotional ticking time bomb as he. Gunning brilliantly uses her face to convey elation, naughtiness, rage, pain and emotional blankness with an ease of facility equal to Gadd's Donny. Indeed, the two make an uncomfortably powerful match in Baby Reindeer.

Time prevents me from going on, but I must at least in passing say that , Nava Mau, Nina Sosanya, Tom Goodman-Hill, Shalom Brune-Franklin, all give sensational performances in supporting roles that contribute to and flesh out this dark, powerful story.

One of Netflix best in several years..

Jeez that went dark pretty quick

[ammar456 · 8/10 · 13 April 2024]

Started this and thought it was a nice light thing to watch, especially judging by the trailer and the beginning of the first episode. It was pretty funny, very well shot, acting is great. Binged a few episodes and it seemed to get darker and darker until half way through the season and holy hell, that went a whole different way. This is an amazing show, it definitely isn't 'light watching' though. Had to switch it off and watch a few episodes of 'is it cake' just to clear our palette 😂 It's amazing but we really weren't ready for that, we really just wanted some light viewing, but it does grip you and reel you in to watch more. Probably needs a warning at the beginning because it was disturbia central up in here.

Perfection

[a14305ca · 10/10 · 12 April 2024]

I have never reviewed anything before, but I needed to make an exception with this series. The characters, the actors and the storyline is by far some of the best television that I have seen in a long time. I wish I could give more details, but I have just finished my second re-run and I am still filled with a pyrrhic feeling in my stomach. Each episode is so captivatingly disturbing and yet shines a light on so many important issues faced today without perpetuating any sort of moral judgement. If you are ever going to give a show a chance, let it be this one.

Sent from my iphone (watch the show to catch that reference)

A dark delve into the story of two broken souls

[gilbubbsy-17942 · 10/10 · 11 April 2024]

I had no idea what to expect with this show, it just popped up on my Netflix recommended and I decided to give it a go. Without giving too much away Baby Reindeer tells the true story of a man and the woman who stalks him but it's so much more. It a brutally honest masterpiece about two very broken individuals, one who is destructive to others and one who is hell bent on self distrusting and how they form a bizarre and thoroughly toxic connection. The vulnerability it took to make this show is praise worthy and it was done with such elegance and rawness. It's not an easy watch by any stretch and it's jarring at times but if you are willing to sit through the brutality, there is a breathtaking beauty in this show rooted in the honesty it's told with.

Harrowing. Dark. Brilliant.

[cberkerussell · 9/10 · 12 April 2024]

I went to bed thinking about this show and finished it the next day as I couldn't think past.

This type of show will stay with you for a long time. I saw a reviewer say how stalkers are glamourised in media, think Netflix's You. This raw and haunting story of comedian Richard Gadd's real life experience of being stalked by a woman he met in a pub and befriended, shows a dark and refreshingly honest portrayal of a terrible stalking experience.

Not only do we see the reasons behind why he did what he did, why he didn't stop when all the signs where pointing to danger, but the background to Richard / Donny's life is so incredibly brave.

Rarely do we see this story line in the media happening to men, although it happens very frequently to women in movies and tv, and for that I think it will strike a chord with many people. I won't elaborate on this more without giving too much away.

To summarise, this show is a must watch, but be warned it is not an easy watch and should come with trigger warnings.

Binged it in one setting

[rohosam · 10/10 · 12 April 2024]

Many people who watch this might find donny's descions weren't good, but many who's been through an abuse will make the same descions, we are very self destructive and attracted to things that might bring choas to our lives, at some point we break and start telling our story loadly without caring just like he did in his stand up and only then we begin to heal like he did. About the guy who assaulted him, also might be strange for some people to accept that he went back to him, but that is also normal for someone who was assaulted, usauly we are assaulted by people we trust and care about so we will blame ourselves before we blame them.

I liked this show a lot, it was very accurate and true.

10/10.

The most honest self-portrait

[TaylorYee94 · 7/10 · 25 April 2024]

Richard Gadd does not embellish 'Baby Reindeer' with self-justification. I keep questioning 'how can you be brutally honest about yourself?' as I watch the series. He is cleary a victim of stalking and sexual assault, but he is far from telling only his side of the story. "Why do you let her on?" "Why do you follow her?" "Why don't you report to the police?" "Just get out of his apartment." "Why do you freaking go back to him?" I can also see the ugly, dark, and twisted side of him as well. Just telling as it is and revealing his missteps and inexplicable and strange empathy toward perpetrators were surely hard for him. Gadd's performance in episode 6 sums up his inner thoughts while going through all the dramas over the years and is the most genuine and authentic acting I've ever watched.

Believe the hype, this is incredible TV.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 10/10 · 15 April 2024]

Donny has moved to London, with dreams of becoming a comedian, but things don't quite work out. Working at a bar, he makes a friendly gesture to Martha, a gesture he'll come to regret.

Very rarely do I give a straight 10/10 review these days, but in this show's case, I had to. I didn't want to binge watch it, I had no other choice, it's spellbinding.

It almost lulls you into thinking you're watching a comedy drama, and there are definitely several funny elements, as it moves on however, it takes you to some very dark places, Donny's back story is quite something.

It's chilling to think that this is based on Gadd's own personal experiences, it makes you think and question all sorts.

The acting is incredible, Richard Gadd and Jessica Gunning are both phenomenal, the supporting cast also, truly on point.

One of those very rare shows that I didn't want to end.

10/10.

A self inflicted public shaming

[Kmdoug222 · 6/10 · 17 April 2024]

This show is difficult for me to review cause from a technical standpoint it's amazing. The acting, direction, pacing, and writing are all amazing. I was gripped from the beginning. But then it transformed into something I was certainly not expecting in the 4th episode. I've finished the whole show and I feel icky. It's not the sexual violence and rape that has me most unsettled but the depiction of Richard "Donny" and his own mental illness. I can't help but feel like this show is a self indulgent public lashing. Everyone is praising him for being so raw and brave tackling sexual violence and grooming. On one hand I appreciate his willingness to be honest with the depiction of himself warts and all. On the other hand, this is a true story depicting his personal true story graphic rapes, sexual promiscuity and deep-seeded sexual confusion/unhealthy behaviors stemming from his abuser, graphic drug abuse, lies, narcissism, soul crushing insecurity, public embarrassment, deeply unhealthy relationships with stalker and others near him, and more. Where he went, disaster followed. I'm not saying that these things don't happen in life. But I'm not sure it's meant to be prettied up on a high rated Netflix show and herald as entertainment. I screamed at the screen multiple times for him to go to a therapist. If this was a fictional story maybe I'd feel differently, but it's not. And at the end of it the conclusion of all his trials there's nothing to glean from it. I'm left feeling empty, sick, and deeply sad for him. I hope he can truly seek help.

Jessica Gunning Nailed it....

[sameersarngal · 9/10 · 12 April 2024]

Absolutely!

"Jessica" offers a tour de force in acting prowess, with both leading characters delivering performances that are nothing short of extraordinary. Each episode takes viewers on a thrilling journey, with twists and turns that keep them on the edge of their seats.

In the end. It's a series that lingers in the mind long after credits roll, leaving viewers clamoring for more. With its stellar performances, impeccable writing, and bold storytelling choices, "Jessica" stands as a shining example of what modern series can achieve. Just loved it. I hope it never ends. Netflix thanks for that.

Masochistic trauma porn

[edwin-wks · 6/10 · 20 April 2024]

With his self-portrayal of his own personal disturbance and traumatic experiences in Baby Reindeer, Richard Gadd could be the new face of masochism. He spared no effort in depicting every sordid detail of being victim to rape, harassment and stalking, taking the saying "airing one's dirty laundry" to unchartered territory. When have we ever seen a survivor of such grotesque abuse approach the re-enactment of their various traumatic events, by themselves no less, with such unbridled gusto and painstaking detail?

In the public meltdown that he enacts in episode 6, Gadd described his love for Teri as being surpassed only by his self-hatred; the result of which, his epically low self-esteem, he attributed as the reason for his repeated returns to his rapist (including towards the story's conclusion), and his continued dependence on Martha and her voice messages for validation even after she had pled guilty and was sentenced to nine months in prison.

While it might seem to regular viewers that Gadd has sublimated a deeply distressing period in his life in the mid-2010s into a fearlessly creative and cathartic endeavour that ultimately culminated in this Netflix series, I think the truth is far more sinister. Gadd has finally managed to obtain the fame and approval that he admitted to desperately wanting by publicising and capitalising on his personal trauma. Baby Reindeer is his OnlyFans, with the content being his neuroses, self-loathing, public humiliation and other miscellaneous suffering, and now viewed by millions who are applauding this trauma porn.

"Truth is stranger than fiction"; this rings especially true for Gadd and Baby Reindeer. Had this story merely been fictional, it would have been an expertly crafted and enthralling story and character study. As a true story depicted by actors removed from the events, it would have been a difficult but fascinating watch. However, to have Gadd play himself is to watch him intentionally reliving his trauma and potentially retraumatising himself ostensibly because he is still very much enslaved to his special brand of shame. As such, Baby Reindeer is not the product of someone who has overcome their inner demons to finally cultivate a healthy relationship with themselves.

Didn't like it.

[neil_murrell · 2/10 · 18 April 2024]

Baby Reindeer is billed as a darkly comic thriller about a man dealing with a stalker. In reality, it's a show about a man who just cannot get out of his own way. The main character is constitutionally incapable of making good decisions, or even neutral ones. Exhibit A: In episode 1, he meets a woman who is, from the word 'Go' quite clearly a quivering mass of psychological red flags teetering on the brink of madness. He then discovers that she's a compulsive liar who served four years in prison for stalking, beating up an old woman, more stalking, making false reports to child services, and, oh yeah, even more stalking. Ask yourself, what would a normal person do when confronted with that information? If you answered 'Friend the stalker on Facebook', you and the main character would probably get on famously. In fact, you'd probably end up stalking each other.

This is a show about a man who spends about six months repeatedly sledgehammering himself in the nuts and then complaining that his nuts hurt. If that's your cup of tea, I hope you enjoy it. Unfortunately, it wasn't mine, so I didn't.

Truly amazing.

[asneyd · 10/10 · 16 April 2024]

As someone who has experienced male adult rape myself, this was difficult to watch. However, I related to the main character, his journey into recovery. I also hated my abuser and found friendships with characters who were unhealthy for me. My abuser groomed me to a point that I rationalised the abuse as normal.

This series is not about a stalker in my opinion. It's about trauma and the crazy things we do, and the crazy people we align ourselves with when we lose a piece of ourselves. I finished the show in 2 days and I will be thinking about it for weeks to come. I've never written a review before but wanted to share with everyone how this affected me.

I didn't want to leave a review but I HAD to...

[orcinussr · 9/10 · 12 April 2024]

... This is THAT good! It's truly a tour de force (and forgive me for using that terminology but omg! OMG! When you write something this significant AND do it the justice it demands in the acting.. I mean... Ya 'tour den force' is the only fitting phrase) - it took me awhile to truly appreciate what I was looking at, what he was conveying and why but.. Sheesh! And lemme tell you right now, a 9 from me is exceptional! (for reference I reserve tens for things like an Attenborough nature documentary, or maaaybe Rick and Morty but both of those are for different reasons - I never bestow the NINER - but it's warranted - congratulations man, you should be very VERY proud - THANK YOU for this! Thank you FOR YOU!

Complex and multi-layered.

[jesusonasurfboard1 · 8/10 · 11 May 2024]

I came back here to review this series following Fiona Harvey (also known as Fiona Muir) A. K. A Martha's appearance on the Piers Morgan show where she denied all allegations made about her in this series.

The most admirable aspect about this series is the fact that Richard, or Donny, never portrayed himself to be just the victim. He was honest about his mistakes, and all the things he may have done to lead Martha on. He also didn't portray Martha to be just an abuser. I think the show did well to portray that Martha also had her good parts and was herself a victim to her childhood tragedies. There was nothing one-sided about the way he told his story. The series is quite unconventional in the way that the narrative was so much than just Victim vs. Abuser. That the story is multi-dimensional and complex.

This is definitely one of the most difficult series I'd had to watch. There were some scenes that left me stunned and speechless. Most importantly, I cannot fathom how painful and difficult it must be for Richard to reenact some of most traumatizing events in his life for the world to see.

A masterpiece!

[avi_165 · 10/10 · 11 April 2024]

Wow. There's so much more than meets the eye with Baby Reindeer. The show's Netflix synopsis makes it out to be a psychological thriller, which it is, but it's so much more complex than that. Richard Gadd takes us on a deep dive into a dark, emotional, psychologically unsettling experience, sharing his story with the utmost vulnerability. I imagine this couldn't have been an easy tale for Gadd to re-enact, especially so graphically.

Baby Reindeer is without a doubt worth the watch - I binged it in a day, and have continued to ponder over the concepts of self-destruction, mental illness, and male sexual assault. Thank you for sharing your story with us, Richard.

Are my demons my enemies or my friends?

[Always_Loved_A_Film · 6/10 · 8 May 2024]

I can't say I liked Baby Reindeer - it's a darkly frustrating watch to see so much abuse and self hatred - but it is a well told, powerful (true) story. We have stalking, grooming, rape, sexual deviance, body dysmorphia, self harm... the list goes on. Watching Baby Reindeer is like getting dragged through the sewage of a neurotic therapy purge.

The acting is very good - very believable. The vibe is darkly comic, very 'in the face' with lots of close ups. Voice-over throughout, arty, and quick moving - I've heard that a lot of people 'binge watch' the series in one go.

I have certainly known some Donnies and Martha's in my time working alongside social services in deprived neighbourhoods. Superficially friendly but needy, deluded, compulsive liars and manipulators - desperate for attention. In that respect Baby Reindeer is all too common and sadly familiar.

A major theme of this story is mental illness and how it feeds off the neurosis of others. Donnie's neediness masquerades as compassion and his self hatred as submission - desperate for a loving father in his life. Of the main characters I would say that only Donnies X-girlfriend and her mum (minor characters) seem anything like 'normal' or 'healthy' - everyone else is confused, afraid, and tormented to some extent.

On a more positive note another theme is authenticity. How honesty and truthfulness are always the path to liberation and reconciliation. And also how you can only get rid of your demons if you make them your enemies rather than trying to make them your friends. However - My feeling by the end of the story is that it never truly does either but leaves us feeling like it could all just happen again (especially now, in a twist of irony, Donnie has hit the big time with a Netflix hit) - so it's an honest but ultimately tragic tale in which we are all culpable.

Wow! A must watch!

[Missdapoint · 10/10 · 11 April 2024]

Ok so I went into this not knowing what it was about. I have just finished episode 5 and wow! Shocking and heartbreaking is all I can say. He is incredibly brave telling his story and letting people know what happened. Showing this darker side of an industry is brave and eye opening. I like the fact that he has shown humanity towards his stalker but also how terrifying this situation can be. So far I have just finished episode 5 and feel I need to carry on watching tomorrow as I think its quite intense to binge watch. I really hope he writes more for TV as this is brilliant. Well done to everyone involved as the acting and whole production is brilliant.

Technically Skilled; Emotionally Manipulative

[CosmicWizard · 6/10 · 19 April 2024]

The story of a stalker. More broadly, the study of how unstable people find each other and do further damage to themselves and others.

A true story written and performed by Richard Gadd, who once felt bad for a strange woman spinning tall tales at his workplace one day. What happens next is a tragedy of errors immortalized in text, film, and police reports. Along the way, Richard grapples with the growing awareness that he might (in fact) be part of the problem in his own life, and an active source of harm to others. Drama ensues.

This series directly addresses themes of pity, self-loathing, and vulnerability. More authentically, "Baby Reindeer" represents life with a personality disorder through the eyes of a sufferer.

The principal theme appears to by "pity," both as the condition the Author feels for his stalker and the technique by which he maneuvers through life or manipulates others into meeting his needs. It is this same pity he requires from us, the audience: both in his fantasy routines as a sad clown comedian, and the actual effect of this series. Richard needs us to feel bad for him as a victim of circumstance/grooming/stalking as an excuse for his admitted neglect and mistreatment of those unlucky enough to wander into his path.

While "Baby Reindeer" is well-acted and thoughtfully composed, the Author's manipulation of the audience detracts from its quality. The startling absence of any personal growth or redemption arc leaves us feeling like we've been cornered by a burned-out narcissist at a bar instead of leading us to a moral conclusion about life, relationships, or the development of virtue. It is abundantly clear this man needs serious help - not just from a "therapist" he found on a dating website, but probably an actual psychiatrist who can help level out the extremes in his thinking/behavior long enough to respond to talk therapy. This is the extent of my pity for the Author and his potentially wasted life experience.

Bonus points for accurately illustrating modern-day London as a dark and depraved cesspool of Babylonian proportions.

Hard to watch but harder not to keep watching

[msfqsjq · 9/10 · 13 April 2024]

This was the first show in a long long time I binged in just two nights.

It's a rare show that comes along and feels pure in its writing. Truthful, painful and easy to see yourself in Gadd/Donny.

I winced through an awful lot of it but couldn't look away. I kept watching and waiting for a reckoning a comeuppance or some sort of revenge piece but no one really got their just desserts which I suppose made it all the more realistic.

Amazing piece of storytelling from someone who's been through so much. I guess that's where the win was that Donny/Gadd were looking for all that time.

Be prepared with a box of tissues.

A Mixed Bag

[Mazeithecrazy · 6/10 · 21 April 2024]

I feel very conflicted on this series.

The first couple of episodes were very gripping and I was intrigued to see what would play out in the rest of the episodes.

Martha was an interesting character despite her very serious issues and very well acted, you could believe you could meet someone like her at some point in life. I was curious to see where the dynamic between Donny and Martha was going, but after the 2nd half of the show I feel it lost it's direction and gave very mixed signals on what it was trying to say.

Trying to relate to Donny and his nuances of why he let things continue on for as long as he did is a bit tricky. On one hand trauma is very complex and him trying to keep the peace with Martha, even though she was seriously escalating in her behaviours, you could relate they had a fundamental self hate that tied them together and why perhaps they became enthralled as people.

But having her assault your partner and not report it? And then the story with the older man? Was it that he really thought he was going to further his career so he continued going to his place or did he hate himself that much that he let himself get assaulted so many times? And then he goes back to his in the last ep to make friends? It's a story of Stockholm syndrome and it doesn't leave a good feeling once finishing the series.

If the main actor went through all these events and none of them are dramatised for the story then I do hope he's in long term therapy as this is a story that is not to be promoted for happy viewing.

I feel the show is a case of human behaviour and how people are complex on their reasons to why they are the way they are but I don't think I'll be watching this again.

An excellent dark comedy drama

[drhemp · 9/10 · 12 April 2024]

When this limited series popped up on Netflix, I only intended to watch the first couple of episodes, but I ended up binge-watching the entire series in one go.

The story follows struggling comedian Donny (played by the show's writer and director, Richard Gadd), who encounters a crazy woman named Martha. What starts as an awkward encounter escalates into a horrifying situation. Gunning delivers a chilling performance as Martha, while Gadd portrays Donny's descent into fear with raw vulnerability.

I like going into a show blind, yet I find it's only the best ones that can hook me in quickly when I don't know anything about it; otherwise, I like to have some knowledge of what it's about.

Baby Reindeer can be described as a black comedy, but it also has much tension, making it equally a dark psychological drama. The opening credits start with a notice that it's based on actual events. I have no idea how much of it has been embellished for artistic license. Honestly, you couldn't make this up, and while it's a strange story that unfolds, nothing in it is unbelievable.

While the show does provide some funny moments, it's a lot more than a comedy. It has as much tension, if not more, than an A-list Hollywood blockbuster thriller. There are moments when I cringe as if I were in the room with them, feeling the awkward tension, and other moments where I feel myself shouting at the screen, warning Donny to get out quickly before his stalker, Martha, sees him.

Baby Reindeer isn't afraid to tackle tough topics like drugs, mental health, and sexual abuse. The show's unflinching portrayal might not be for everyone, hence the 18+ rating.

I've always thought being a stand-up comedian is a tough job. Richard Gadd gives a fantastic performance of his own bad comedy routine that doesn't hit the mark, and I found myself rooting for him to tell a better joke and for the audience to laugh. I gained a whole new level of respect for comedians.

If you enjoy thought-provoking dark dramas with solid performances and a touch of humour, I highly recommend Baby Reindeer.

The Story is Insane!

[FinleyKolapo · 9/10 · 13 April 2024]

This is insane. The story, the woman, every bit of it, just insane. Oh my god. There were so many moments that just made my blood boil.

Somehow, This story is shockingly real, the show is written and produced by the guy this happened to. Even more shockingly, The actor who plays Donny, Richard Gadd, is the guy this stalking situation happened to! I cannot believe one could have the energy to write, produce, and act in a show based on one's own traumatic experience.

Now, I get that Martha is sick, and the series made it clear that she needs help. However, I won't empathize with Martha. Don't confuse empathy with sympathy. Sure, Police/Institutions should learn many things from this Martha situation, and society should provide more resources to those with mental illness. Still, no, I don't empathize. Build many affordable therapy centers, then send her to them, permanently.

A haunting tale of obsession and validation

[pollypreviews · 9/10 · 13 April 2024]

Baby Reindeer is Netflix's gripping new 8-part series that follows the bizarre and unsettling real-life interactions between a stalker and comedian Richard Gadd, whose character is named Donny. Through intimate, beautifully poetic monologues written and spoken by Richard Gadd himself, and unsettling encounters with Martha, played by Jessica Gunning, it delves deep into the psyche of both predator and prey, leaving viewers both disturbed and captivated. Baby Reindeer reveals the chilling complexities of desire, validation, and obsession, whilst exploring the intricate dynamics of infatuation and manipulation, whether it's platonic, romantic, or professional.

The show begins lighthearted and funny, but then descends into darkness, portraying experiences of grooming, sexual assault and rape. Whilst many scenes were incredibly hard and distressing to watch, others were eye-wateringly honest and open. Hauntingly portrayed is a subconscious coping mechanism, where after sexual assault the abused may begin to sexualise the violence experienced, reclaiming its power or replaying the moments in hopes to understand what and how transpired in a guilt inducing confusion, which I have not yet seen play out in another TV show or film so sensitivly or honestly.

Donny's self-destructive aftermath and the craving for approval, even from the abuser, only fed his insecurities. The desperate need for validation and the frequent threads of pity are palpable throughout, intertwined with the importance of parental acceptance and support. As the series progresses, it becomes a harrowing tale of two individuals grappling with their own demons and desperately seeking healing amidst a tumultuous journey of obsession and madness.

Donny's struggle with following his dreams of fame as a comedian is enough to send someone into a spiral, as he faced failure repetitively. This greatly reflects the fluctuation of highs and lows in so called 'unconventional careers'. I found the scene where Donny bares his soul in a tearful confession in episode 7 to be very cleverly introduced. In an earlier episode, his comedy sets within the Edinburgh Fringe Festival open with a loud (both in volume and fashion), flamboyant, full of energy entrance, with music and hip thrusting, he then abruptly stops and leads with "my mum died today". This style of juxtaposition comedy bled into real life, as in the penultimate episode Donny breaks down on stage sharing all of the awful experiences and stress he has endured. As the crowd sits in an awkward silence, he then plays his jingle about condoms and popadoms on a noise maker, and then leaves the stage. The set became him and swallowed him whole.

Jessica Gunning's ability to unravel on screen was utterly impressive, and I was conflicted with seeing her as the villain when so clearly troubled and unwell. Richard Gadd's genuine vulnerability and bravery within Baby Reindeer is an unforgettable performance, and even more so knowing that these are his life experiences and own words.

In the end, I believe Martha and Donny share many similarities, whether Donny would like to admit it or not. They start out both as dreamers, lost in their imaginations and aspirations for the future. They are ceaseless when it comes to something they love and yearn for, for Donny appreciation and comedy, and for Martha, appreciation and Donny. Martha noticed his pain, which he recognises when he said "Martha saw me the way I wanted to be seen". And Donny saw hers, even if in the form of a free cup of tea. They also relate in their fears, and in their depths of obsession. Her infatuation overcame him and he too was soon obsessed. Even when in prison, her shadow lingered at the bus stop or in the answer phone messages which still flooded his ears.

"Baby Reindeer" is a compelling and thought-provoking exploration of trauma, desire, and the complexities of human connection. In the end, they were just 2 people desperately struggling to heal.