10 Amazing TV Shows You'll Probably Never Watch Again
3. When They See Us
When They See Us, a Netflix miniseries written and directed by Selma director Ava DuVernay, is an undeniably essential piece of television. It is also a frightfully upsetting watch whichever way you cut it.
It tells the rage-inducing story of five Black and Latino teenagers who were falsely convicted of the sexual assault of a white female jogger in Manhattan's Central Park. They spent years in prison before the real perpetrator was found, and though they eventually received a settlement from the City of New York, the damage done to their lives can never be undone.
When They See Us pulls no punches in depicting this devastating story, which is made even more infuriating by the unfortunate truth that it really happened. This series came out in 2019, and just over a year after its release, the world witnessed the George Floyd Case. This tale of racism, corruption, and injustice is just as tragically relevant today as it was back in 1989, and that makes it that much tougher to sit through.
Put it this way: the writing and acting are stellar, and this is a fine piece of television, but it really isn't enjoyable in the traditional sense at all. It's one of the most depressing TV shows in recent memory.