From the filmmakers that brought us the Netflix documentary The Tindler Swindler comes another scintillating doc, this time about the kidnapping of Denise Huskins and the media fallout revolving around the case when it was revealed that the Vallejo Police Department did not believe Denise's story because of how far-fetched it all sounded. Netflix will cover the story in the new documentary series American Nightmare.
If you followed the case in 2015, you likely saw the numerous interviews and media frenzy surrounding it, including many people who would go onto publicly call Denise a liar and make her out to be a "real-life Gone Girl," referring to the 2012 novel by Gillian Flynn (and the 2014 film from David Fincher).
In reality, Denise and her boyfriend Aaron Quinn had been telling the truth about the traumatic incident that put assailant and kidnapper Matthew Muller behind bars for 40 years. Now the entire saga will be chronicled in Netflix's three-part documentary series, streaming Jan. 17. Watch the official trailer below.
The crazy true story behind Netflix docuseries American Nightmare
As detailed above, the series will highlight the specifics of the case while also focusing on the damage and fallout caused by the police's public skepticism, specifically unraveling the "consequences of our cultural rush to judgment, and the damage done when law enforcement decides the truth can’t possibly be true."
Despite people doubting Denise and Aaron's story, the culprit, Matthew Muller was eventually found and imprisoned on multiple charges, including two counts of forcible rape and kidnapping for ransom. He received a sentence of 40 years.
The main reason the police had such a hard time believing this story is evidenced in the above trailer, as people discuss some of the crazier details of the case, such as the couple's claim a man wearing a wetsuit drugged and blindfolded them before kidnapping Denise for over 48 hours and then later dropping her off at her father's home in Southern California. Detectives couldn't fathom why the kidnapper would bring her back to her house.
Denise and Aaron married in 2018 and share a daughter, Olivia. They have since done several public interviews for outlets like ABC's 20/20 and the trailer shows that Denise will be participating in the Netflix doc as well.
American Nightmare comes from production company RAW and directors/producers Bernadette Higgins and Felicity Morris. Morris directed The Tindler Swindler. Executive producers include Rebecca North and Fiona Stourton.
American Nightmare premieres on January 17 on Netflix. Set a reminder via your Netflix watchlist now.