Lately, 'Baby Reindeer (2024)' has been making waves in word-of-mouth discussions and breaking records on Netflix worldwide in terms of viewership. The thriller miniseries, created and led by Richard Gadd, draws inspiration from his own harrowing experiences with stalking and trauma. As fans eagerly immerse themselves in the narrative, speculation runs rampant about the true identities behind the characters, life imitating art. Let's explore other layers from this Netflix sensation.
Donny
The protagonist, Donny (Richard Gadd), occupies a significant role in the storytelling landscape. Despite the series being grounded in Gadd's encounters with sexual violence and stalking, his portrayal as a white man adds complexity to the narrative with an open sexuality with a relationship with a trans man. In a society where white men often wield considerable power and are high in the statistics regards these types of crimes and hate to the LGBT+ community. Gadd cleverly utilizes his position as both creator and lead to offer audiences a glimpse into the lives of victims while also prompting reflection on the actions of those within his demographic, a platform to commentary deeper social issues. Dare to say, he represents a new wave of non-toxic masculinity through his character’s metamorphosis and deconstruction throughout the miniseries with vulnerability in terms of his traumas with sexual violence and stalking.
Martha
On the other hand, the miniseries antagonist is a middle-aged fat woman, Martha (Jessica Gunning), this itself holds two problematics. She shares a resemblance with a witch, who are traditionally the villain, underlying themes of body shaming, fatphobia and ageism. Even though, these do not pay a role in terms of character, they can contribute to the audience collective consciousness, especially in a media driven society. Offscreen, these themes come from the same root, patriarchy, which made woman learned to hate themselves, either their bodies or their age. This is notable by the high demand for the aesthetic surgeries worldwide. Even though, there are new waves of feminism exploring the body positivity and getting old, “Baby Reindeer” reinforces these prejudices, even though Martha is humanized and mentally ill.
Beauty and the Beast complex:
In "Baby Reindeer," Donny's complex relationship with Martha evolves in unexpected ways, echoing themes found in classic tales like "Beauty and the Beast." Despite Martha's role as the antagonist, Donny's empathy towards her reflects a deeper complexity in their dynamic.
This complexity is further highlighted by Donny's own experiences with trauma, which shape his perception of Martha beyond mere villainy. Donny's internal conflict becomes apparent as he grapples with conflicting emotions towards Martha. His fling with her and subsequent thoughts about her during intimate moments suggest a deeper connection that transcends traditional hero-villain boundaries. This connection is further complicated by Donny's descent into obsession, mirroring Martha's own fixation on him at the beginning of the series. As Donny's investigation into Martha's actions intensifies, he finds himself drawn further into her world, ultimately occupying the same position he once condemned.
This reversal of roles underscores the blurred lines between heroism and villainy, challenging Donny's perception of morality and forcing him to confront his own demons.
Female Gaze
“Baby Reindeer” episodes are directed by Weronika Tofilska and Josephine Bornebusch. This female gaze pays a role in terms of the portrayal of Gadd’s trauma. Throughout the seven episodes, both directors use of tilted angles, close-ups, and lighting techniques creates a sense of unease and tension, mirroring the psychological turmoil experienced by the protagonist. Tilted angles are utilized to disorient the viewer and evoke a sense of instability, reflecting the chaotic nature of Donny's experiences with stalking and trauma. Close-up shots intensify the intimacy and vulnerability of key moments, allowing viewers to connect more deeply with the characters' emotions and struggles. Meanwhile, the use of dark and red lighting underscores the series' dark themes and adds to the atmosphere of foreboding and danger. Overall, these visual and stylistic choices work together to immerse viewers in the narrative, heightening their emotional engagement and deepening their connection to the characters and themes of the series.
Deer
Moreover, Gadd employs feminine elements, such as the symbolism of the reindeer, to enrich the narrative. Through this subtle imagery, the series invites viewers to explore themes of vulnerability, resilience, and empathy in confronting issues of trauma and victimhood. On the other hand, deer is associcated with masculinity in the Celtic culture, which is significant in Scotland, the hometown of the protagonist. There are many symbolisms intertwined with it, among them, they are seen as guides through the forest, representing the ability to navigate life’s challenges with wisdom and awareness. In addition, they are the creatures that inhabit the liminal spaces between earthly realm and the Otherworld, messengers between the worlds, facilitating communication with spirits or ancestors. In the miniseries, Donny is the messenger for the audience, as well as their guide to navigate his anxiety and trauma, while providing awareness of these demons hidden in the shadows of society and complexities in humans.