True crime enthusiasts captivated by Maternal Instinct should add another Netflix documentary to their watchlist immediately. The streaming platform released Maternal Instinct on June 12, and it has already surged to number one on the most-viewed films chart. It delves into the deeply troubling case of Texas woman Taylor Parker.
The Case of Taylor Parker
Parker's tale begins in 2020, when she was stopped for dangerous driving and offered a seemingly legitimate explanation: she had just delivered a baby. However, matters took a dark twist when she was taken to hospital, and medical staff could detect no evidence that she had ever been pregnant. The investigation gradually descended into a horrific murder case that saw Parker sentenced to death row.
American Nightmare: A Must-Watch
Those who have already devoured the harrowing film should also watch American Nightmare on Netflix. The documentary tells the story of a couple, Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn, whose California residence was broken into during the early hours in 2015. The perpetrator abducted Huskins and left Quinn behind.
When Quinn alerted police to the incident, officers refused to accept his account. The situation only intensified when Huskins resurfaced just over 48 hours afterwards.
Synopsis and Reviews
A synopsis teases: "After a home invasion and abduction, a young couple's recounting of the events is too far-fetched for the police to believe. Why did the victims seem so calm? Was it all a hoax? From the filmmakers behind The Tinder Swindler, this docuseries unravels the consequences of our cultural rush to judgment, and the damage done when law enforcement decides the truth can't possibly be true." Packed with interrogation footage and exclusive interviews, the series delves into the couple's battle for justice.
First released in 2024, the three-part programme surpasses Maternal Instinct according to viewer ratings. IMDb users awarded American Nightmare a solid 7.5-star rating, while Maternal Instinct received a slightly lower 7.4 stars. Furthermore, American Nightmare boasts an impressive 95% Rotten Tomatoes score.
Sharing their opinion on Rotten Tomatoes, one fan raved: "Fantastic! Best documentary in years." A second echoed the praise: "I review things, but don't normally comment with my review. This is must-see territory. Completely enthralling." While a third offered their own assessment, writing: "From start to finish, I was hooked on this three-part series. The journey you're taken on as a viewer is captivating, as you continuously question the outcome. The story itself is truly a 'nightmare', one which you could never imagine going through yourself, yet there's a huge amount of empathy in the last episode when the truth is revealed."
Maternal Instinct and American Nightmare are both streaming on Netflix.
