Hulu is at the forefront of the recent true crime releases, with their upcoming docu-series Cult Massacre: One Day in Jonestown. Set to premiere next week, the series delves into the infamous Jonestown massacre.
Additionally, Hulu will be premiering Perfect Wife, which delves into the highly debated Sherri Papini case that caused a stir across the country upon its initial occurrence in 2016.
Despite the success of Dancing for the Devil, Netflix still has many surprises in store. As a special treat for US viewers, they are now able to watch Tell Them You Love Me for the very first time. Viewer discretion is advised as some may find the content disturbing.
About Tell Them You Love Me
Tell Them You Love Me explores the controversial relationship between white professor Anna Stubblefield and her non-verbal Black student, Derrick Johnson, delving into complex issues surrounding consent, gender, disability, and race.
Under the direction of Nick August-Perna and the production of Louis Theroux through his Mindhouse banner, the film initially delves into Derrick’s childhood. Despite being diagnosed with nonverbal cerebral palsy, Derrick was raised with love and care by his mother, Daisy, and brother, Dr John Johnson.
In Tell Them You Love Me, Daisy reveals that aside from the occasional word, Derrick primarily communicates through his eyes and hands. John adds that he would often notice a stronger connection with his brother when they made eye contact, observing Derrick’s unique personality emerge as he matured.
John initially encountered Anna during his time pursuing his PhD at Rutgers University, where she was a professor in the American Studies doctoral program. She was leading a discussion on methods for individuals with non-verbal disabilities to communicate using facilitated communication.
Over the course of the following years, Anna utilized this approach to maintain a close working relationship with Derrick. However, unbeknownst to many, Anna, a married mother of two, had entered into a sexual relationship with her student.
Despite his family having noticed warning signs that something was amiss, such as Anna inserting herself into their lives and asserting her ideas on what was best for him, they were still taken aback when she informed Daisy and John that she and Derrick were in love and that Derrick should move out and live on his own.
It was later revealed that facilitated communication is a discredited method. In a statement made in 2018, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association stated that there is “abundant scientific proof… that the ‘facilitator’ is responsible for the messages, not the individual with a disability.”
Despite Anna’s insistence that Derrick had given consent to their encounters, experts and his family have reason to believe that she had been manipulating his responses and taking advantage of a vulnerable man. In fact, one doctor even stated that Derrick’s mental capacity was equivalent to that of an 18-month-old, further highlighting the severity of the situation.
Anna still doesn’t believe she did anything wrong
This resulted in a 2015 criminal trial where she was convicted and sentenced to 12 years in prison for first-degree sexual assault. However, the sentence was overturned in 2017 and she was instead given credit for time served in a second trial.
Despite addressing the topics of consent and abuse of individuals with disabilities, Tell Them You Love Me also delves into the issue of racial prejudices in our society. Despite Anna’s conviction, her perception was not entirely altered by many, as it may have been if the circumstances were different.
According to The Guardian’s Leila Latif, the disturbing account of abuse is further compounded by the testimonies of witnesses and experts who suggest that Derrick may not have been capable of giving consent. However, these same individuals are unable to acknowledge the educated, white, middle-class woman as a perpetrator of sexual violence. Latif emphasizes the importance of this chilling documentary as it challenges societal norms and sheds light on a vital issue.
Latif emphasized Dr. Howard Shane’s example in which he determined, based on his own analysis, that Derrick’s “mental capacity was equivalent to that of a child aged six to 12 months”and that Anna was “engaging in conversation with herself.”
Despite the results of the investigation, he stated, “I never viewed her as a predator. She genuinely believed her actions were for Derrick’s benefit.”
Cast of Tell Them You Love Me
One of the most concerning elements of Tell Them You Love Me is the inclusion of Anna Stubblefield, who maintains her innocence despite her actions. Daisy and Dr John Johnson, the mother and brother of Derrick, also provide their perspective in the documentary.
During the interview, Daisy was asked if she believed Anna thought Derrick was the one sending those messages to her. Daisy’s response was, “Yes, in her twisted mind.”She also added, “Many people don’t realize the harm that was caused. But it was real, and it continues to affect us.”
Derrick’s brother John recalls the difficulty of going through the trial
During a sexual encounter, Anna brought out a yoga mat in her office and slept with Derrick.
Back at home, John recalls the time he changed Derrick’s diaper and noticed a series of abrasions on his back, as if he had been dragged across the floor. Concerned, he and his mom contacted the school to inquire about the incident, but they were unable to get a clear explanation. It wasn’t until the trial that they discovered Anna was responsible for the injuries.
Where are they now?
Derrick is now back home with his mom and brother, safe and sound. Following her divorce and prison sentence, Anna has chosen to live out of the public eye, living alone.
Derrick’s mother Daisy continues to care for her son
At the conclusion of Tell Them You Love Me, Daisy reflects on the psychiatrists’ assessment that deemed Derrick incapable of caring for himself. She confidently states, “I was aware of this fact. And I have accepted it, choosing to embrace and love him for who he is. No matter how strong he may become, he will always be my child… and that is where we stand.”
You can now stream Tell Them You Love Me on Netflix. If you’re interested in more true crime, you can also find information on the Carter family case, where to watch the Herb Baumeister documentary, and the current status of Sam and Nia Rader from Ashley Madison.
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