True Crime Thriller Series Delves Into Depths Of The Human Mind

The Crowded Room follows Danny Sullivan (Tom Holland), who is arrested for his part in a New York City shooting in the late 1970s. Over several interviews with Rya Goodwin (Amanda Seyfried), Danny slowly shares his life story, shedding light on the events that shaped him and led to the tragic incident. Danny also learns a dark truth about himself that his mind has suppressed for decades.

The Crowded Room opens with the shooting incident. However, Danny insists that his friend and roommate Ariana (Sasha Lane) was the one who fired the gun. Rya is skeptical and finds inconsistencies in his account of events. It’s important to note that the act of violence depicted in the series didn’t result in serious injuries, unlike the victims of the man on whom the story is based.

Danny’s childhood was not easy. He lived with an overworked mother (Emmy Rossum) and a sinister stepfather (Will Chase) while grieving the loss of his twin brother. As time passes, Danny encounters individuals who play pivotal roles in his life, such as Jonny (Levon Hawke), his teenage best friend, who pressures him into doing illegal activities.

There is also Yitzhak (Lior Raz), an Israeli landlord who provides refuge during tumultuous times at home, and Jack (Jason Isaacs), a charming Brit who offers to help Danny find his biological father. When Jack enters the picture, it becomes evident that there is more to Danny’s story than meets the eye. The Crowded Room ends with an emotional courtroom hearing that reveals the truth behind his actions.

The Crowded Room debuted on AppleTV+ in June 2023. The series received mostly negative reviews from critics who described the story as stagnant, leading to a tiring and exasperating viewing experience despite its talented cast and promising premise. The show currently holds a 33 percent critics rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.

Viewers did not share the sentiment, as evidenced by a Rotten Tomatoes audience score of 92 percent. But The Crowded Room isn’t just any story. It’s a journey through the labyrinth of mental illness inspired by the real-life saga of serial rapist Billy Milligan. The show omitted the heinous crime from its lead character in a likely attempt to make Danny more sympathetic.

Billy Milligan became the first person in US legal history to be acquitted of major crimes by pleading insanity due to dissociative identity disorder. The court accepted the defense’s argument that Milligan’s actions were the result of his disorder, and he was committed to a psychiatric hospital for treatment rather than serving time in prison.

Milligan spent several years in psychiatric care, where he received treatment for his condition. Over time, he reportedly integrated many of his distinct personalities, leading to a more stable sense of self. He later wrote a book, The Minds of Billy Milligan (on which The Crowded Room is based), with author Daniel Keyes, detailing his experiences and the complexities of living with mental illness.