Netflix’s New 3-Part True Crime Doc Is So Disturbing It Just Got a Perfect 100% Score

Netflix has a new true crime hit on its hands with the release of The Witness, a three-part drama that has quickly gained major attention from both viewers and critics.

The series premiered on June 4, and it has already achieved a rare perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on early reviews. That places it among a very small group of shows that manage to receive universal positive feedback at launch. True crime content often performs well on the platform, but this level of critical response is still uncommon.

At the same time, The Witness is also performing strongly in viewership. According to Flixpatrol data, it is currently ranked as one of the most-watched shows on Netflix worldwide, including in the United States. This combination of strong reviews and high viewing numbers has helped push it into early “breakout hit” status.

The show is based on real events from a murder case in the United Kingdom during the early 1990s. It focuses on the killing of Rachel Nickell, a woman who was attacked while walking with her young son in a public park. The story also follows the impact of the crime on her family, especially her son Alex, who was present during the incident and later wrote about his experiences.

The series is directed by Alex Winckler, known for the drama Somewhere Boy. It draws heavily from the real-life memoir written by Alex Hanscombe, titled Letting Go. Both Alex and his father André Hanscombe worked as consultants on the production, helping shape how the story is told on screen.

The show does not only focus on the crime itself. It also looks at what happened after, including the investigation and the mistakes made by police during the search for the suspect. One of the most controversial parts of the case was the targeting of an innocent man, who was linked to the investigation through what was later described as a “honey trap” operation. He was eventually taken to court, but the case collapsed when the judge dismissed it.

The series also explores how the media reacted at the time and how the case affected public opinion. It shows how pressure to solve the crime quickly may have led to serious errors in judgment during the investigation.

Alongside the drama, Netflix has also released a related documentary called The Murder of Rachel Nickell. This companion piece looks at the real case in more detail and has also been performing well on the platform’s global charts. According to streaming data reports, it has quickly climbed into the top rankings in several regions.

Critics have pointed out that the drama does not avoid difficult material. It shows the emotional impact of the crime and the long-term trauma experienced by those involved. Early reviews suggest that this honest approach is one reason for its strong critical reception.

While true crime stories are common on Netflix, the early success of The Witness shows that audiences are still highly interested in real-life mysteries, especially when they are told in a detailed and emotional way.

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