When They See Us (2019)

DuVernay maintains a disciplined focus on the men and how their lives suffered irreparable damage from incarceration after coerced confessions; the series is urgent, unflinching, and political but a gutting experience that tastes like medicine.

Ava DuVernay delivers an urgent, astonishing dramatisation of the Central Park Five case that refuses to label prejudice explicitly but embeds it in every assumption by the white authorities. The uniformly astonishing performances, especially by the young actors portraying the five boys, capture both their lost innocence and its lasting impact.

The critic calls the series an achievement for its merciful approach to the story rather than vengeance, immersing viewers in the men's humanity and the failures of the justice system. It singles out the glimpses of family reconnections, such as Korey’s relationship with his mother, for praise.

The critic finds the miniseries searing and compelling overall, praising its rigorous chronicle of the legal failure and DuVernay’s choice to restore the men’s individual identities. It singles out the superb cinematography of Bradford Young and the note-perfect ensemble cast for praise.

The miniseries strips away the dehumanizing tendency to bunch the boys together and shows what each dealt with individually; DuVernay's intimate approach and strong performances make it feel personal, though it occasionally leans into drama and clichés.

The series is wrenching and blunt in its portrayal of the Central Park Five case and DuVernay's targeting of systemic issues including Trump, but it is torn between intimacy and symbolism, ultimately wearing on the viewer.

The critic praises DuVernay's powerful miniseries for focusing on the emotional toll on the five men and their families rather than just the facts of the case, highlighting systemic racism and demanding empathy from viewers. Special praise goes to the cast performances, particularly Jharrel Jerome, and Bradford Young's cinematography.

DuVernay does an amazing job with the emotionally jarring story of wrongful imprisonment; the natural acting, subtle realism, and master stroke of directorial choices make it blunt yet subtle, a never-coming-of-age story filled with tension.

The critic describes the series as a scathing indictment of American injustice and a harrowing account of an unforgivable failure of justice and morality. It singles out DuVernay's artistry, consideration in handling the story's humanity and intersectionality, and the uniformly great performances for praise.

The critic calls the series masterful and exceedingly difficult to watch, leaving viewers devastated yet in awe of the men's resilience. It singles out the casting of relatively unknown young actors to portray the boys and Jharrel Jerome's tour-de-force performance in the devastating fourth episode for particular praise.

The series effectively spotlights the personal lives and post-conviction experiences of the Central Park Five rather than rehashing known facts about the case. It excels in its later episodes by showing the challenges of readjustment, prison disparities, and individual resilience, especially through Korey Wise's arc and strong casting choices.