“My Little Reindeer” on Netflix. why not miss out on this phenomenal series!

“I just offered him tea,” repeats the hero of this series over and over again, who had no idea that a tasteless “cup of tea” would turn his life into an unprecedented nightmare. In this case, Scottish actor and comedian Richard Gad, inspired by his award-winning play at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, created My little reindeer in which he plays a character inspired by him. Therefore, we follow his double, Donnie Dunn, a failed comedian, a part-time bartender, whose unhealthy relationship with the mythical detective Martha has dire consequences, forcing him to confront a deeply buried trauma.

First fan: Stephen King

Since its release on April 11, this paranoid thriller, with no stars in the cast and a disturbing title, has continued its meteoric rise and is currently No. 1 on Netflix in dozens of countries. “It’s really a surprise,” analyzes Emily Semiramot, broadcast editorial manager, columnist and series expert at AlloCiné, “because there hasn’t been any promotion from Netflix. When we look at the statistics, we see that the first week is off to a good start, then the curve steepens in the second and third week. What almost never happens is actually the reverse process.’ Hailed by critics and going viral through word of mouth, the seven-episode miniseries has also been praised by thriller master Stephen King, who called it “One of the best things I’ve ever seen” in a column published in The. The Times wrote: “Like 13 million other subscribers, I started watching and found myself stuck, unable to stop the series. Fortunately, my novel Misfortune was published before, because people might have thought I had stolen my story from Richard Gadd.”

Overwhelming and addicting

appeared on netflix on sly My little reindeer Consequently, within a matter of weeks, it has become the site’s breakout phenomenon, even inspiring FOMO of the month. at dinner on the town or on the spur of the moment conversations. That’s right. Richard Gadd here delivers a TV UFO that cannot leave anyone indifferent. Between true crime, paranoid thrillers, twisted dramas and cliffhangers, his series gradually draws the viewer into an overwhelming anxiety and an addiction beyond comparison. Summing up: we can’t let him go.

“The big surprise of this series is that it is about sexual violence suffered by a man. »

Emilie Semiratoh, AlloCiné streaming editorial manager, columnist and series expert

But if all the (good) ingredients that bring stress and adrenaline to the screen are gathered here, as in many other series, why is this one in particular so fascinating? “Obviously, it’s the theme of the series that has surprised and moved people,” explains Emily Semiramoth. Because if the initial talk is about harassment, we gradually discover that the real topic is sexual violence, the great cause that has stirred up society even after me, and which we have delved into again this year with French cinema. And the big surprise of this series is that it is about sexual violence suffered by a man. It is a topic that is still taboo, rarely discussed, and here we witness the real exposure of the author, who tells his experience with great honesty and courage.

True story

Other attractive elements, off topic, according to Emily Semiramoth, the fact that My little reindeer derives from a true story, thus developing with all sincerity the complexity of the feelings of humanity and especially of victims of aggression who, although aware of the mechanisms of control and predation, sometimes return to their attacker. “These are things that we sometimes have a hard time understanding,” he continues, and which are very well explored in the series. Especially with the voice that Richard Gad uses in his episodes, a dangerous exercise, but one that works very well here because it provides all the keys to understanding his ambivalent reactions and self-loathing.

Impeccable casting

Strong theme, effective writing, good production. there is no shortage of reasons to watch the series. “I’ll add one more,” continues Emily Semiramoth. It is the discovery of tremendous talents. namely Richard Gad, who we’d never heard of, and English actress Jessica Gunning, who plays Martha, the detective. He is extraordinary and manages to touch us at times despite his role as the great villain. The only downside, according to the series expert. “I’m very angry at the reception of certain members of the public who have fun looking for and discovering the real heroes of this story, it’s really the kind of abuse we don’t want to see. does not need to, and it is not at all the message that its author wants to convey.

Since then, Richard Gadd has repeatedly clarified that he took every precaution to ensure that the real Martha and her assailant are not identified, while asking the internet’s most curious users to stop their investigation. Don’t assume who these people might actually be. This is not the goal of our series,” he wrote on his Instagram microblog. One last little tip if you plan on watching it this long May break. avoid frequent viewings and skip viewings between episodes. With no breaks or even warning, the upper section can be more brutal than it seems.