Here at FandomWire, we review the new Netflix streaming docuseries American Nightmare, and the article contains significant spoilers.
“Believe Women” is a political slogan often ignored by mainstream America. Then there’s the famous line written by Aaron Sorkin, “The things we do to women.” These lines ran through my head while watching Netflix’s jaw-dropping true crime docuseries, American Nightmare.
It’s a story that’s as shocking as it is appalling. The real-life “Gone Girl” case proves biases and liability laws are not just an individual (micro) problem but an institutional (macro) one as well. The story is a perfect storm of individual mistakes snowballing into large ones.
In American Nightmare, protocols are ignored, laws are broken, and common sense takes a back seat when putting two and two together.
Netflix’s American Nightmare Season 1 Synopsis and Review
American Nightmare tells the story of a home invasion and abduction of Denise Huskins in 2015. In the city of Vallejo, California, Ms. Huskins and her boyfriend, Aaron Quinn, woke up to an intruder in the home. Strobe lights were used to blind the couple, and zip ties were used to control them.
Denise was taken out of the apartment. Aaron was tied up in the bedroom. A small camera was placed over the door. If he tried to untie himself or call the cops, they would kill Denise. When Aaron ends up calling the police hours upon hours later, they meet his story with considerable skepticism.
Except a recorded statement was sent to a local news reporter. The voice is of Denise, sounding remarkably calm, saying she was fine but being held for ransom. Then, remarkably, Denise was dropped off at her family’s doorstep a day later.
American Nightmare is a jaw-dropping streaming television docuseries
From executive producers Rebecca North and Fiona Stourton (Saudi Women’s Driving School), as presented in the series, American Nightmare is a damning indictment of the American judicial system and the American media. You may give the police a pass because the story is so unbelievable.
You can forgive the media for taking a cue from the institutional arrogance of a mockery of a press conference denouncing Denise and Aaron’s story. However, that’s the initial skepticism. There’s a reason rules and protocols are set in place. The third episode, titled “Part III: The Others,” is infuriating.
As presented in the documentary, the detective assigned used to date Aaron’s ex-girlfriend. The documentation contradicts tactics taken, like Aaron’s lie detector test and Denise’s medical examination, which is appalling because they ignored basic trauma-informed care. If anything, this proves that you never try to help the police, always protect yourself, and demand a lawyer.
Is American Nightmare Worth Watching?
American Nightmare is worth watching because it shows the toxic combination of power, tunnel vision bias, and the need to cover your back at all costs. At a lower level, this case is strangely similar to the Golden State Killer (and even the Zodiac Killer case).
You’ll be taken aback by how the department ignores obvious facts and coincidences (like a local “Peeping Tom” case) because they don’t want to believe anything else. According to the series, it should be noted that the Vallejo Police Department settled out of court for 2.5 million dollars. Also, many key players’ defense attorneys pointed the finger and were never reprimanded.
The series is also suspenseful and riveting, with an even tone and pace that only enhances real-life stakes and facts. That makes American Nightmare even more frightening. The facts are that less than 5% of sexual assault cases are reported, and 20% of reported cases are deemed “unfounded” by the police.
American Nightmare is just that: a common practice of institutional bias (and arrogance) in law enforcement dismissing sexual violence without doing the legwork.
You can stream American Nightmare only on Netflix on January 17th, 2024.
Grade: 8/10
