Just a Thought: ‘Unbelievable’ On Netflix

There is so much to applaud about Unbelievable, the latest must-watch drama on Netflix, that it’s hard to know where to begin. Starring Toni Collette and Merritt Wever, as detectives who pair up to solve related rape cases, this is a crime show that centres the role of women. Importantly, it’s not just the crime-solvers whose lives are in the spotlight but also the rape survivors.

The usual trope of a drama like this is to kill off a rape victim early – and then introduce some big burly men to get to the bottom of the crime. Women are mere pawns in the story. Their bodies serve as either brutal collateral damage or decorative office assistance. Blokes get to confidently save the day and women get to be grateful to them. Or dead. More often than not they get to be dead.

If this article brings up any issues for you, or if you need to speak to someone, please call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), the national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service.