Top 10 Dark Truths about Netflix Shows

Ava DuVernay’s “When They See Us” tells the story of the wrongfully convicted Central Park Five, Black and Latino teens accused of assaulting a white woman in 1989. In 2024, Netflix and DuVernay settled a lawsuit with former prosecutor Linda Fairstein, who claimed her portrayal was defamatory. Fairstein received no payout, but Netflix agreed to donate $1 million to The Innocence Project. The streaming service also said they would place a disclaimer at the beginning of each episode stating that the series dramatizes the events. DuVernay reiterated her belief in Fairstein’s responsibility for the convictions and regretted the case didn’t go to trial.

The true story of triplets David Kellman, Bobby Shafran, and Eddy Galland, who discovered each other by chance as adults, inspired “Triptych.” The triplets were each adopted separately through the Louise Wise adoption agency. They unknowingly participated in a secret experiment by psychologist Dr. Peter Neubauer, which studied their development in different socioeconomic backgrounds. This non-consensual experiment had profound consequences for the triplets, resulting in significant psychological harm, including depression and abandonment issues. Their story, which highlights the ethical issues surrounding such covert studies, was previously brought to public attention in the 2018 documentary, “Three Identical Strangers.” The film detailed their separation, the eventual reunion, and the lasting impact of the unethical experiment on their lives.

“The Asunta Case” revolves around the tragic and shocking real-life murder of Asunta Fong Yang by her adoptive parents, Rosario Porto and Alfonso Basterra. The case captured widespread attention due to the horrific nature of the crime and the involvement of the girl’s own parents. Crucial evidence, including CCTV footage and forensic analysis, led to their conviction and arrest. The court handed each of them an 18-year prison sentence for their atrocious actions. In 2020, Porto took her own life in her prison cell, while Basterra remains incarcerated, continuing to serve his sentence.

This time-travel series used actual footage from the 2013 Lac-Mégantic, Quebec rail disaster, which killed 47 people, to depict a fictional nuclear explosion in London. Viewers recognized the footage and expressed outrage. Peacock Alley Entertainment, the Toronto production company behind the series, admitted the mistake, apologized and promised to edit the episode. Lac-Mégantic mayor Julie Morin expressed relief at the quick reaction but criticized the disrespect shown to the still-recovering families. Shockingly, the disrespect didn’t end there. Viewers soon noticed footage from the disaster in the 2018 film “Bird Box.” Netflix initially refused to remove the footage but later agreed to edit the movie, apologizing for the grief it caused the people of Lac-Mégantic.

The Duffer Brothers, creators of “Stranger Things,” allegedly drew inspiration from Montauk, New York, where a supposed US military program called the “Montauk Program” took place. The program purportedly conducted experiments on children involving mind control and time travel, reminiscent of El’s traumatic past in the series. Initially, the show was to be called “Montauk.” Preston Nicols, an electrical engineer, claimed to have worked on the project and published a 1992 book called “The Montauk Project: Experiments In Time.” He asserted the project aimed to control people via a computer program. That said, no concrete evidence supports these claims, suggesting this may be a case where fiction is stranger than the truth.

“Baby Reindeer” sparked controversy when fans identified Fiona Harvey as the inspiration for the show’s character Martha, leading to online harassment and death threats against her. Despite show creator Richard Gadd’s pleas to avoid identifying real-life inspirations, Harvey gave an interview to “Piers Morgan Uncensored,” which further fueled backlash. Harvey announced plans to sue Gadd and Netflix, claiming exploitation. Gadd’s colleagues, including director and writer Sean Foley, faced unfounded speculation, and the series received criticism for what some saw as compliance failures. Netflix defended its actions, stating they took reasonable precautions to protect those portrayed in the show.

This miniseries about Colombian drug trafficker Griselda Blanco faced backlash for its violent content and a lawsuit from Blanco’s son, Michael Corleone Blanco. He sued Netflix and the show’s star, Sofia Vergara, for using his and his wife’s likeness without permission. He claimed the producers excluded him from the show’s development despite his sharing personal materials with them. Despite the lawsuit seeking $50,000 in damages, the court dismissed it with prejudice. Eric Newman, the show’s co-creator, who worked on Netflix’s “Narcos,” responded that it “comes with the territory” after dealing with comparable suits from Pablo Escobar’s family.

The true story of Marie Adler, who poorly trained detectives coerced into recanting her assault report, inspired “Unbelievable.” The show’s source material, a 2015 Pulitzer Prize-winning article, details how authorities pressured Adler into recanting and then charged her with filing a false report. Years later, detectives in Colorado uncovered a serial assaulter, proving Adler’s account true. The series covers two timelines, showcasing Adler’s ordeal in 2008 and the 2011 investigation that linked her case to the person responsible for the heinous acts. Adler later sued and settled for $150,000.

Korean-language drama “Squid Game” became Netflix’s most popular series in 2021, leading to them greenlighting a real-life version of the show. Critics labeled it a “dystopian nightmare,” as contestants reported various injuries and harsh filming conditions, including freezing temperatures. Some participants claimed to suffer from hypothermia and nerve damage due to the extreme cold. Netflix confirmed that three players required medical attention and conducted a safety inspection. Britain’s Health and Safety Executive reviewed the incident, eventually closing the case but warning producers to better plan for risks in future filming. The show’s immense popularity has sparked debates about the ethics of replicating such intense and hazardous challenges for entertainment purposes.

The series that many believe catapulted Netflix to fame collapsed in 2017 when star Kevin Spacey faced numerous assault and harassment accusations. Crew members described a “toxic” environment, with Spacey exhibiting “predatory” behavior, including nonconsensual touching and making sexual comments about young male staffers. A former production assistant claimed Spacey assaulted him, cornering him in a trailer. A female crew member said Spacey’s misconduct was well-known, often disguised as play fighting with male crew members. In 2022, a court ordered Spacey to pay millions in reparations.

Let us know in the comments which revelation shocked you and if we missed any!