When They See Us
Details
1989. New York. Central Park. When these three elements come together, one of the darkest stories of injustice in American history begins. This four-part miniseries, with Ava DuVernay as both director and screenwriter, reveals not only a legal scandal; but also how racism, poverty and institutional rot go hand in hand. This production, built on the story of five young boys from Harlem, does not promise a comfortable viewing experience for the audience. On the contrary, it pins you to your seat, leaving behind a weight that bothers you, angers you, and stays with you for a long time. DuVernay turns her camera not only to the workings of the justice system, but also to the families torn apart in the process, those with stolen childhoods and futures that are being quietly destroyed. Each episode deepens the narrative by centering on a different character's point of view, so that five different faces, five different stories of suffering and five different stories of despair turn into a single great human drama. The young cast, especially Asante Blackk and Jharrel Jerome, carries this heavy material with extraordinary skill. Jerome's performance, especially in the final episode, is etched in memory as one of the most striking acting moments in television history. The suffocating atmosphere of pressure felt throughout the series transforms into moments that leave the audience breathless. The production goes far beyond a mere crime drama. Issues such as the systematic discrimination suffered by Black and Latinx youth, the destructive influence of the media on public opinion and how the presumption of innocence can be easily violated never lose their relevance. Images from 1980s New York and production design capturing the spirit of the era transform the narrative into a true time capsule. After watching it, you will find yourself in both profound sadness and inevitable anger. But perhaps the strongest emotion will be the respect for these young people struggling to survive. By bringing their story to the big screen, DuVernay is both holding them accountable and paying them tribute. It is truly one of those works that leaves a lasting impression and should be watched.
US

Particip...

Harpo Fi...
Tribeca ...

Forward ...
ARRAY Fi...

Media

Trailers
Cast










Writers & Directors
Seasons
Reviews

Peter McGinn
August 06, 2020
9/10
I was reluctant to watch this miniseries, because I had read a lot about it and I thought, gee, I know how it turns out, so why watch a grim, depressing reconstruction of it? But I realized eventually that I had to give it a chance. So many people loved it so much, and most of the very few who didn’t hated it so much, I figured it must be good and accurate for that kind of response. And so it was. The acting, to me, seemed superb. (I don’t pretend to be an expert film reviewer; I only know wh...
Similar TV Shows
Frequently Asked Questions
When They See Us has a total of 1 seasons.
When They See Us first aired in 2019.
When They See Us belongs to the following genres: Drama.
When They See Us has a rating of 8.2/10 from 1,030 votes on TMDB.
No, When They See Us has ended.
In the United States, When They See Us is available to watch on: Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads.