Some Netflix users have described the latest Netflix documentary Tell Them You Love Me as “effed up”due to its disturbing subject matter.
The streaming service has a history of showcasing projects that tackle controversial subjects, including the chilling Baby Reindeer and the shocking finale of Mexican drama Pact of Silence.
The documentary Tell Them You Love Me delves into the topic of power imbalance in the true crime genre, specifically examining the dynamic between Anna Stubblefield and Derrick Johnson.
Despite initial expectations of a romantic tale, the film unequivocally portrays the unsettling and disturbing dynamics between Anna and Derrick.
Johnson is a currently nonverbal man with cerebral palsy, while Stubblefield used to be a Rutgers University-Newark ethics professor.
Johnson’s brother, John, was a student at Rutgers and had Stubblefield as his professor. Due to the strong relationship and trust between the two, John invited Stubblefield to their home to assist his brother Derrick with improving his communication skills.
During their meetings, Stubblefield – who was married at the time – stated that she and Derrick were engaged in a consensual sexual relationship.
Despite his condition, Derrick’s mother Daisy disputed Stubblefield’s account and made efforts to keep her son away from her.
Due to Daisy’s persistent objections regarding her son’s supposed involvement with Stubblefield, it was not until 2015 that the Johnson family was able to obtain justice for Derrick. This was achieved when the professor received a 12-year prison sentence for two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault.
The court sided with the Johnson family’s stance that Derrick’s disability rendered him unable to give consent to any of the actions inflicted upon him by Stubblefield.
Despite Stubblefield being held responsible for her previous actions, several Netflix users have cautioned that the documentary as a whole can be difficult to watch.
“I couldn’t even finish this one and I’ve seen some messed up things,”commented one Facebook user on a post asking for recommendations on good documentaries to watch in the Facebook group “NetflixBangers”.
To discover more true crime content, you can find updates on the whereabouts of Jonathan Meijer, also known as the ‘Man with 1000 kids’, learn how to view the latest Andrew Tate documentary, and stay informed on the current situation with Phil Spector.
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