What do you think would happen if you went to the police to ask for help when someone close to you was kidnapped? Ideally, they would ask you to narrate the sequence of events and carry out an investigation. But for Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn, this is not what happened. Their story was branded as false, and they were treated as perpetrators. Except the reality was much different. ‘American Nightmare’ is the latest true-crime docu-series that is available to stream on Netflix. The show is receiving good reviews. Here’s all that you need to know about it.
‘American Nightmare’: Story
The docu-series begins with Aaron Quinn who calls 911 to report his missing girlfriend, Denise Huskins. He narrates the sequence of events that have taken place. He reveals that he was tied and drugged, and his girlfriend was taken captive for ransom. However, rather than helping him, the Vallejo authorities held him captive. They questioned him for hours, made him go through a lie detector test, and believed that he was the one who killed Denise.
Things take a completely different turn when Denise shows up alive at her parent’s house. She reveals that she was sexually assaulted by the kidnappers. But the police refuse to believe her and claim that she pulled a ‘Gone Girl’ on them. The couple faced scrutiny and a media trial.
However, the reality was something that no one had anticipated.
‘American Nightmare’: Performance
Being a docu-series, the people in the episodes are real-life characters. They are not enacting any scenes. Rather they are speaking to the camera and are narrating their experiences. As there is no reenactment of any sort, the docu-series feels real. Their pain and agony hit harder. It helps you to see where they are coming from and how the situation and the misunderstanding have impacted them.
‘American Nightmare’: Script, Direction & Technical Aspects
The direction by Bernadette Higgins and Felicity Morris has helped the docu-series stand out from the rest. The best part about this docu-series is how there is no reenactment. The narrative relies heavily on records by the Vallejo Police Department, the FBI, and what the victims have to say. The use of camera recordings from the interrogation showed the intensity of the proceedings. It showed how the authorities did not take Denise and Aaron seriously and painted them as the bad guys.
Being a docu-series, there isn’t a lot of music that has been added to the episodes. This helps because the use of unnecessary music could have reduced the intensity of what the victims had gone through. The episodes only use ambient sound which helps drive the plot smoothly without hampering the flow of the narrative.
The editing also needs to be appreciated because they managed to pack all the necessary information in just three episodes. If the makers wanted, they could have easily dragged the story and packed it into five or six episodes instead of the same duration. But this crisp editing keeps you engaged from the first episode to the last. What also needs to be praised is how the story was laid down. The first two episodes feel like a slow burn, but the final episode is where things pick pace, and the wait pays off. You are completely bowled over in the final episode because it was nothing that you had anticipated. While the editing was good, certain sections felt redundant and could have easily been done away with.
‘American Nightmare’: Cast & Crew
Director: Bernadette Higgins, Felicity Morris
Producer: Daniel Hall
Available On: Netflix
Duration: 3 Episodes, 43-46 Minutes Each
‘American Nightmare’: Can Kids Watch It?
No
Outlook’s Verdict
I am someone who is always on the lookout for a good documentary or a docu-series. Having watched a lot of them, ‘American Nightmare’ surprised me because it did not follow the classic template. It kept me glued for long. However, the only complaint I have is that the show could have been packed into a single long movie rather than opting for this three-episode formula. If it were a movie, the pacing would have been crisper, and it would have appealed to a larger audience. If you are someone who is looking for a good true crime binge-watch, then ‘American Nightmare’ should be your pick. I am going with 3.5 stars.
