When They See Us has been viewed by 23 million on Netflix, according to the streaming giant. The four part TV series’ director, co-writer and creator, Ava DuVernay also tweeted the astounding numbers. She also tweeted, “Imagine believing the world doesn’t care about real stories of black people. It always made me sad. So when Netflix just shared with me that 23M+ accounts worldwide have watched #WhenTheySeeUs, I cried. Our stories matter and can move across the globe. A new truth for a new day.”
When They See Us premiered on Netflix May 31 and those 23 million account members who reportedly watched the four part series, put it right up there with Netflix’s top ranked Our planet documentary series. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Our Planet has been watched by 25 million.
The heart wrenching When They See Us takes a critical look at the criminal justice system and how important it is to tell the truth, that truth can determine life or death. The limited release series is based on the 1989 criminal case in New York dubbed the Central Park 5, where five African American teenage boys ages 14 to 16 were wrongfully convicted of sexually assaulting and brutalizing a White female jogger in Central Park.
The series is a brilliant piece of true to life art, dramatizing the events that took place in the lives of Korey Wise (Jharrel Jerome), Kevin Richardson (Asante Blackk and Justin Cunningham as the adult Kevin), Raymond Santana (Marquis Rodriguez and Freddy Miyares) Antron McCray (Caleel Harris and Jovan Adepo) and Yusef Salaam (Ethan Herisse and Chris Chalk) and their experiences from their arrests, trials, incarcerations and what their lives were like after their release from prison back into a world they were unprepared for, from the 1994 through 2002.
When They See Us also stars Aunjanue Ellis, Niecy Nash, Michael K. Williams, Marsha Stephanie Blake, Felicity Huffman, John Leguizamo, Kylie Bunbury, Suzanne Douglas, Joshua Jackson, Storm Reid and Blair Underwood.
It took me a while to bring myself to the place emotionally where I could watch When They See Us because I remember the case and how it was plastered all over the news outlets as much as convicting the “5.” President, and then businessman Donald Trump, even purchased a full page ad in the newspaper asking to bring back the death penalty.
The men now known as the “Exonerated 5” have since been found innocent because of DNA evidence and a confession from the real perpetrator of the crime.
One reason I was reluctant to watch the series is because I remember this case. And I knew it was going to show a portrayal of injustice inflicted upon five young African American men by the prosecutor and the police (who the film depicted as wanting to rush to justice to bring about a conviction as soon as possible, no matter what young black men they had to arrest, and entrap through forced confessions and fear tactics).
After I cried, clenched my teeth, and clapped my hands at the end of When They See Us. I am glad I put my apprehension aside and watched the four part series. Kudos to Ava DuVernay for doing justice by these men’s stories. As a result, a whole new generation now knows what happened from their perspective and hopefully will not allow this kind of history to repeat itself.
If you have not seen When They See Us yet, hurry up and get to it. You will not regret it.
Black Chic At The Movies rating:
****1/2
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