“Baby Reindeer” is a unique story interpreted by the person who really lived it. This is sexual abuse against men.

Who's stalking who here? Photo: Ed Miller/Netflix

Martha (Jessica Gunning) has curly hair, strange makeup and is very overweight, she lies about her supposed job as a lawyer and can't afford a drink in the pub.

Donny (Richard Gadd) immediately feels sorry for her. And yet he knows this is unfair. As always, he's behind the counter at the Heart Pub in the Camden district of London, drinking a beer when Martha enters. It's Donny's pity that leads the two to talk.

Martha soon falls in love with her “baby reindeer,” as she calls Donny. He enjoys her attention and her laughing at him. Because Donny is a failed comedian. And even if it's not Donny, the series is still hilarious. What initially seems harmless soon takes a dramatic turn: it's not long before Martha turns out to be a ruthless stalker. However, Donny will not be able to separate himself from her. Now the two of them are too entangled with each other.

Richard Gadd, who plays Donny, not only stars in “Baby Reindeer” as an actor, but also wrote the script for the miniseries. Because it is based on his own life, as revealed by the writing “This is a true story” on the screen. He was harassed for several years by a woman who called him “baby reindeer.”

Confusing sexuality, broken dreams

The series is notable in many ways. It captures your attention with a gripping plot, accompanies it with a great soundtrack and impresses with the fantastic performances of Gadd and Gunning.

Donny's haunting narrative voice continues the plot without shying away from themes such as trauma, confused sexuality, broken dreams, and the sexual abuse of men. The latter in particular is talked about with a seriousness rarely seen in the world of series and movies.

“Baby Reindeer” is a vulnerable but brave portrait of masculinity. The series seduces audiences with big laughs, only to kick them in the stomach with raw sadness the next moment.