In the spring of 2022, the courtroom battle between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard captivated the online world. With the "Pirates of the Caribbean" actor claiming $50 million in damages due to an op-ed penned by Heard, which indirectly hinted at an abusive relationship, the media spotlight was predictably intense. Sensing an opportunity for compelling content, Netflix swiftly put into production a docuseries called "Depp v Heard." However, despite the high-stakes, emotionally-charged subject matter, the docuseries ends up being a letdown.
See Also: Inside Man (2023) - Movie Review
The series does perform the useful function of presenting the legal testimonies of both Depp and Heard side-by-side. This makes it somewhat easier for viewers to digest the convoluted narrative that unfolded during the lengthy trial. Unfortunately, this is where the docuseries' merits largely end. The only other area it explores is the social media frenzy of the trial. This is a topic that, while interesting, could have been more thoughtfully presented.
While neither Depp nor Heard appeared as paragons of healthy relationship behavior during the trial, the documentary skews dangerously close to endorsing the vitriol primarily aimed at Heard. It heavily features clips from social media. It includes TikTok creators mocking Heard, sometimes using audio snippets from her own courtroom testimony. The glaring omission is the lack of any significant social media commentary that criticizes Depp. This results in an imbalance that essentially distorts the public reaction to the trial.
The series' lapse in judgment doesn't end there. For legal commentary, the filmmaker, Emma Cooper, brings in some rather questionable contributors. One of these is YouTuber, Darthnews. Darthnews dons a Deadpool mask while discussing the gravity of domestic abuse, trivializing the issue. Further muddying the waters is the inclusion of Andy Signore. Signore is a commentator previously dismissed from his company, Screen Junkies, due to multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. Although Signore has denied the allegations, featuring him in a documentary focused on abuse, without acknowledging these allegations, is a perplexing and insensitive decision.
Another significant shortcoming is the lack of in-depth, original journalism. The docuseries cherry-picks the trial's most sensational elements. For example, allegations of physical abuse and various bizarre incidents involving both parties. However, it doesn't offer any nuanced exploration of these episodes. Interviews with experts, whether they be legal analysts or psychologists, could have added a much-needed layer of depth to the narrative. This helps viewers to better understand the intricacies of the trial and the psychology of the individuals involved.
Moreover, the series fails to address the broader social conversations that emerged from the trial-namely, those concerning domestic abuse and victim-shaming. These are significant societal issues that were reflected in the highly polarized reactions on social media. Exploring these topics could have made for a far richer and more valuable conversation about how society processes high-profile cases involving abusive relationships and problematic behavior.
To sum it up, "Depp v Heard" is an unsatisfactory examination of a highly complex and emotionally charged case. While it might serve as an entry point for those unfamiliar with the trial, it misses multiple opportunities to dig deeper and offer viewers a more comprehensive understanding. One can only hope that a future documentary will take up the mantle and deliver the insightful analysis that this case-and the audience-deserves.
