The Netflix True Crime Series Is Stranger Than Fiction
There are rare instances in which life imitates art to such a degree that it’s almost inconceivable and nearly impossible to explain them as mere coincidences. These events aren’t outside the realm of fiction; however, when they do occur, even the sharpest among us fail to discern said fiction from reality. That’s exactly what happened to Denise Huskins, whose kidnapping and aftermaths are described in Netflix’s American Nightmare docuseries, available on streaming.
Huskins was accused of framing her own kidnapping, the details of which are oddly reminiscent of the 2014 thriller, Gone Girl.
American Nightmare dives into the story of Denise Huskins and her husband, Aaron Quinn, recounting how their lives spiraled out of control after Huskins was kidnapped in the early hours of March 23, 2015. Upon reaching safety after she was released by the kidnappers, Huskins learned that law enforcement tried to pin her disappearance on her husband.
After this, they tried to frame her as the perpetrator of a scheme similar to the faked abduction portrayed in Gone Girl, a 2014 thriller movie that had been released some six months prior.
The Gone Girl Story
Huskins was accused of framing her own kidnapping, the details of which are oddly reminiscent of the aforementioned movie, which is, in turn, based on Gillian Flynn’s best-selling 2012 novel Gone Girl.
The movie stars Rosamund Pike and Ben Affleck as a married couple, Amy and Nick, and the latter of the two is having an affair. Then, a break-in at their home happens, leading to Amy’s disappearance, after which Nick becomes a prime suspect. And this is exactly what happened to Denise and Aaron, as explained in American Nightmare.
Namely, the three-part docuseries takes a deeper look into Huskins’s story, how accusations of a hoax nearly ruined her and Aaron’s life, and what happens when law enforcement operates under their own biases and fails to take victims seriously. The first episode of American Nightmare centers on Quinn’s recounts of the whole event, how he came to be considered a prime suspect, and how the police didn’t believe his explanation of Denise’s disappearance—partially due to their own mistake.
Apparently, the kidnappers have tried to contact Quinn, but the police put his phone on airplane mode while detaining him. In American Nightmare episode two, Huskins recounts being kept in a remote location, with one man interacting with her.
The three-part docuseries takes a deeper look into Huskins’s story, how accusations of a hoax nearly ruined her and Aaron’s life, and what happens when law enforcement operates under their own biases and fails to take victims seriously.
The kidnappers also disclosed that she actually wasn’t the intended target of the kidnapping. However, they sexually assaulted her twice, and the captors videotaped the assaults. They were subsequently captured and sentenced to life in prison. Huskins was released 400 miles away from the place of her kidnapping without any ransom being paid.
It’s really easy to see similarities between Huskins’ kidnapping and Gone Girl. However, both law enforcement and the media acted maliciously and with bias, which ultimately could have ruined the lives of two people. Even the kidnappers took pity over how Huskins and Quinn were treated and emailed multiple statements to the media stating that the couple was telling the truth. Those interested in watching American Nightmare can stream the three-part docuseries via Netflix.
