Netflix viewers have been horrified by what many are calling the “most disturbing” true crime documentary.
The streaming platform provides a variety of documentaries that explore some of the most puzzling and chilling criminal cases.
They not only offer a thorough examination of heinous acts but also dissect the psychological and societal factors that contribute to them.
Now, one documentary in particular has disturbed viewers, sparking widespread conversation.
On social media, one viewer remarked, “I’ve seen a LOT of documentaries, but this was genuinely some of the most disturbing content I’ve ever come across.”
A second viewer adds, “It turned out to be one of the most disturbing and unsettling documentaries I’ve ever watched, and I’ve seen quite a few.”
“It made me feel sick to my stomach,” a third person concurs.
A fourth viewer writes, “This could be one of the most unsettling documentaries I’ve ever seen on Netflix.”
This new documentary, executive produced by the acclaimed Louis Theroux, delves into a controversial and harrowing case that many viewers have found too challenging to watch.
Directed by Nick August-Perna, known for his work on The Swell Season, the documentary investigates the troubling case of Anna Stubblefield, a former philosophy professor whose controversial relationship resulted in a criminal conviction.
The story unfolds in 2009 when Stubblefield, then 41, encountered Derrick Johnson, a 30-year-old non-verbal man with cerebral palsy, through his brother, John Johnson.
John was a student in one of Stubblefield’s classes at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey.
A 2015 article in The New York Times notes that Stubblefield’s parents both held Ph.D.s in special education and had significant experience working with individuals with disabilities.
Stubblefield offered to assist Derrick in enhancing his communication skills, seemingly following in her parents’ footsteps.
However, what began as an educational pursuit took a controversial turn when Stubblefield, who was married at the time, alleged that her interactions with Derrick had evolved into a consensual sexual relationship.
Derrick’s mother, Daisy Johnson, strongly disagreed, asserting that her son was unable to give consent to physical or emotional intimacy because of his condition.
Netflix characterizes the documentary as a provocative examination of “the contentious relationship between a professor and a nonverbal man, culminating in a trial that addresses issues of race, disability, and power.”
Stubblefield was convicted on two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault and received a 12-year prison sentence, according to NJ.com. In 2017, her conviction was overturned, and she was granted a new trial overseen by a different judge.
Stubblefield eventually accepted a plea deal, admitting guilt to the lesser charge of third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact, according to NJ.com. She received a sentence of time served and was released from prison.
In the documentary, she maintains her innocence, stating, “I’m not guilty of a crime.”
Considering the sensitive nature and seriousness of the allegations, Tell Them You Love Me has elicited powerful reactions from its audience.
The documentary explores the details of the case while also addressing wider issues related to consent, power dynamics, and the interplay of race and disability within the justice system.
