The series 'Baby Reindeer', the author's project of comedian Richard Gadd, is definitely the main hit of Netflix this spring. What else, besides the frightening fact of its autobiographical nature, can this show surprise with—in our review.

The main character of the series is a young guy Donny (Richard Gadd), working as a bartender but dreaming of a career in stand-up. One day, noticing a woman in her forties in distress at the counter, he decides to cheer her up by treating her to a tea on the house. Soon, the new acquaintance becomes a regular at the bar, and their communication becomes increasingly strange and alarming. Before long, Donny learns that he has been targeted by a "serial stalker" named Martha Scott (Jessica Gunning).

First, any analogies with 'Misery' by Stephen King should be ruled out. Annie Wilkes was certainly a maniac, but she was obsessed not with the main character's personality—famous writer Paul Sheldon—but with his works. The horror king's novel was about something else entirely: the creator's fear of fanaticism among fans, the downside of popularity, and the fear of becoming a hostage to one's own admirers. Annie in this case is merely a metaphorical character, a convenient collective image.

At the same time, comparisons with recent projects about stalking as a phenomenon should also be considered false. And there have been plenty of those lately—from the series 'You' on the same Netflix to the feminist horror with Maika Monroe. One can also recall more cult films, for example, 'Fear' with Mark Wahlberg. In fact, 'Baby Reindeer' is not so much about stalking as it is about the complex relationship between aggressor and victim, attachment turning into Stockholm syndrome, and traumatic experience.

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Open material

'Baby Reindeer' is unique in that, while often touching on themes of inclusivity and diversity of minorities, it is far from the most politically correct show of our time, because its antagonists are an overweight middle-aged woman, often the object of ridicule, and a character of non-traditional orientation. True, in this case, all reproaches from the guardians of tolerance are shattered by the title at the beginning of the first episode—'based on a true story'. Everything shown in the series (naturally, not without artistic license and exaggeration) is the horror that actually happened to Richard Gadd, who also plays Donny.

Martha's appearance in the main character's life serves only as a catalyst, releasing heavy memories and unprocessed traumas. Donny's attitude toward the obsessive woman constantly changes throughout the series, sometimes taking on completely unexpected states, for example, when panic fear and complete rejection of the new acquaintance give way to condescending pity and even lust.

The script of 'Baby Reindeer' is not without reason replete with deliberate self-citations and circular compositions—upon closer examination, both Martha and Donny, despite the seemingly unambiguous picture from afar, take on the roles of victim and aggressor situationally. Thus, Richard Gadd's character does not hide that he derived perverse pleasure from the heightened interest in his person and even did not disdain giving false hopes to Jessica Gunning's character. Not least, the series focuses attention on auto-aggression as the root cause of many troubles. Self-hatred often provides fertile ground for abusive relationships, moral and physical violence against the individual. This is precisely what the climactic monologue of the hero is dedicated to, undoubtedly referencing a similar moment from 'Joker' with Joaquin Phoenix.

On top of everything else, 'Baby Reindeer' also works well as a tense thriller about stalking. I never thought I would find messages with errors on a black background and signed 'Sent from my iPhone' (by the way, Martha doesn't have an iPhone) frightening. The new Netflix project is written, directed, and acted so well that even the fourth episode, which tells the viewer about Donny's past and deviates from the overall storyline, does not create a visible gap in the work's dynamics, but appropriately complements the main thread and adds even more creepiness. Richard Gadd's series may be watched in one breath, but it certainly won't be an easy and pleasant pastime for you.

The based-on-a-true-story 'Baby Reindeer' received an unexpected continuation in our days, having already gained fame online. Particularly impressionable viewers began to persecute people who could potentially be the prototypes of the rapist Dorrian and the stalker Martha. Moreover, threats from those who watched the series also come to random people who only vaguely resemble those characters. Such an ambiguous sequel to this story in real life echoes the gray tone of the show's finale.

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