“Audrie and Daisy” proves eye-opening with raw subject matter

Blake Laurita

Staff Writer

The eye-opening Netflix original documentary, “Audrie and Daisy,” impresses with its raw storytelling of the tragic events that plagued Audrie Pott and Daisy Coleman’s lives, as they were both sexually assaulted while unconscious.

“Audrie and Daisy” is a moving documentary featuring slick presentation and insightful interviews that carry heavy emotional weight, allowing viewers to build a personal connection with the victims and their families.

The documentary addresses four rape cases that are each eerily similar. These stories, which took place in different towns, are portrayed using on-camera interviews of victims and their families, police interrogation footage, original news footage and animated interviews with the rapists.

One positive aspect of the film was its myriad of interviews offering multiple points of view from a variety of people involved in the rape cases. The most notable interviews were the ones with police officers who seemed oblivious to the wrongdoing of the accused, their ignorance surprising and eye-opening to the viewer.

The documentary’s unique style proved intriguing and cohesive, retaining the viewer’s attention throughout the entire film. The plot successfully adressed the controversial central conflict, surrounding the issue of the rapists’ futures being valued over justice for the girls.

On contrary, “Audrie and Daisy” lacked exploration into how social media played a role in the rape cases. The film had potential for a more in depth demonstration of how constant criticism on social media affects rape victims and how it was directly involved in the decisions made for each of the cases addressed in the film.

“Audrie and Daisy” is an eye-opening documentary exploring tragic stories featuring shocking interviews, however it slightly suffers from the underdevelopment of social media’s effects on victims’ lives. Overall, the film’s criticism of a society that allows rapists to continue to be predators was informative and appears to be a cry for change in our legal system.

“Audrie and Daisy” was released September 26 and is available for streaming for free on Netflix.