In the gripping Netflix series "Baby Reindeer," Scottish writer and comedian Richard Gadd narrates his real-life haunting experience of prolonged stalking. Playing the character named Donny Dunn-a slightly fictional take on himself-he brings to screen his most distressing life chapter. The series takes viewers on a roller-coaster ride through his emotions, his stalker's unpredictable demeanor, and past events that shaped his outlook during that time. Shocking and heart-wrenching yet sprinkled with Gadd's signature humor, "Baby Reindeer" stands apart as a unique TV gem showcasing the potential of the medium.
The plot of "Baby Reindeer" unfolds as Donny steps into a London police station, worn and bothered, narrating how an unpredictable woman has been trailing him for months. However, Donny has not been completely honest, and as the narrative rewinds six months, viewers are introduced to the whole story.
Young comic Donny spends his days working at a local pub and his nights in a bedroom at his ex-girlfriend Keeley's mother's house. One day, a distraught middle-aged woman named Martha enters the bar and Donny, being kind, offers her a free cup of tea. Their first encounter sparks off a chain of events with Martha regularly visiting the bar, constantly praising Donny and gifting him the nickname "Baby Reindeer". When Donny attempts to distance himself, Martha intrudes deeper into his life, affecting his standup shows and personal relationships.
The series compellingly showcases Martha's escalating obsession with Donny through a barrage of inappropriate emails, and her mood swings that hint at a painful struggle within. Donny, though distressed, is shown not as a helpless victim but a character with agency. The series layers his tale with trips down memory lane that reveal why he sometimes entertained Martha's advances amidst her harassment.
Drawing parallels with Michaela Coel's HBO series, "I May Destroy You," Gadd's "Baby Reindeer" is a bare, honest tale of multiple forms of abuse. Over seven episodes, the series shows how Martha's fixation with Donny evolves into a haunting fascination for him. The series also addresses gender biases by reversing traditional gender roles in the harassment narrative.
"Baby Reindeer" excels in its sensitive portrayal of emotional vulnerability and mental illness. The series ends with a reflective note, challenging viewers to confront the deceptions that influence our actions and worldviews.
The entire series of “Baby Reindeer” is now available for streaming on Netflix.
