A new miniseries dramatizing the infamous Amanda Knox case has sparked controversy over its focus on Knox’s experiences at the expense of her victim, Meredith Kercher. The eight-part series, available on Hulu and Disney+, attempts to humanize Knox, played by Grace Van Patten, but in doing so, it sidelines Kercher’s tragic story.
Kercher’s sister, Stephanie, expressed her disappointment with the project, stating that the family was “through so much” and finding the dramatization “difficult to understand.” The miniseries aims to highlight Knox’s wrongful conviction and her subsequent acquittal, but its tone is often inconsistent, veering between light-hearted and melodramatic scenes.
The show’s creators have touted the series as a way for Knox to reclaim her narrative, but at what cost? By centering Knox’s story, the miniseries overlooks Kercher’s tragic fate. The final two episodes focus heavily on Knox’s confrontations with her prosecutor, Giuliano Mignini, while Kercher’s presence is largely absent.
The series’ problematic approach has raised questions about its purpose and whether it serves to shed light on the real victim or perpetuate a sensationalized narrative. As Jessica Bennett noted in The New York Times, “humans love consuming spectacle – and we doubly love a spectacle when it involves women and sex.” However, this spectacle can come at the expense of those who were truly wronged.
The Amanda Knox case is a tragic reminder that miscarriages of justice can occur when victims’ stories are overlooked. By prioritizing Knox’s experiences over Kercher’s, the miniseries falls short of its intended purpose – to shed light on the truth and honor the memory of both women involved.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250819-why-the-new-amanda-knox-tv-drama-is-misguided