Stephen King shares his perfect response to Baby Reindeer, the popular new Netflix drama. Created by Richard Gadd, who also stars in the lead role, the seven-episode limited series is an adaptation of Gadd’s one-man show of the same name. Depicting Gadd’s experience of being stalked and sexually assaulted during his 20s, Baby Reindeer has garnered acclaim from both audiences and critics for its unflinching portrayal of difficult subjects. It has been cited as one of Netflix’s best originals in years.
On X (formerly Twitter), Stephen King has now weighed in on Baby Reindeer, summarizing his reaction in just two words: “Holy sh-t.”
The legendary novelist has shared his favorite shows before, approving the Idris Elba series Hijack and lifting the relatively obscure horror drama From. But as has been the case since its debut on April 11, Baby Reindeer and its breathtaking ending leaves a lot to contend with.
Baby Reindeer is one case where Netflix’s relative lack of pre-release promotion for its titles worked in its favor. Based on the title and the show’s poster, the narrative initially takes the tone of a quirky comedy blended with a thriller. Though that may be true for the first few episodes, Baby Reindeer is based on true and harrowing events. Halfway through its run, the series takes a dramatic shift and does away with genre trappings to become a more complex story.
Baby Reindeer is a critical darling, boasting unanimously positive reviews, and is prepping for competition at the next Emmys. It has caught on with viewers, as well, as it has ranked in Netflix’s top 10 shows for two straight weeks since its debut. Baby Reindeer has also claimed the no. 1 spot in its second week, dethroning 3 Body Problems. At a time when shows are increasingly familiar, whether a reboot or some continuation of an existing franchise, a story that is often intentionally unpleasant and dark is an unlikely candidate to become one of the most-discussed dramas of the year so far.
Some of the success is due to the cast of Baby Reindeer, all of whom deliver great performances. It also comes down, in large part, to Gadd’s ability to walk the line between constructing a series that is challenging but compelling and difficult to look away from. That’s why King’s two-word assessment, as brief as it is, is a fitting encapsulation of how the series stays with the viewer in an unexpected way.
Source: Stephen King/X (formerly Twitter)
See Baby Reindeer On Netflix