363. Web-series Reviews – 178

More web-series reviews…

The Asunta Case – Came out in 2024.  In September 2013, the news and newspapers shocked us with a horrifying and highly publicized case. Asunta Basterra (originally Fang Yong), a 12-year-old girl of Chinese origin, had disappeared, although 24 hours later it was learned that she had really been murdered. Her body was found on a forest track near the family's country house.

A review from IMDB...

Great true crimes series! And please you have to watch it in the original version with subtitles, otherwise it won't work at all.

With deep characters that generate a lot of interest, the cast is excellent!. The one who stands out above all of them is the wonderful and in Spain well-known actress Candela Peña, in the role of the unstable mother. It is is worth watching just to see her in the role of Rosario Porto. And of course I must also mention the role of Tristán Ulloa, really great in the role of the father, Alfonso Basterra.

The series does not invent anything and it is very well detailed, it is very intriguing and there is a lot of tension. Really gripping. This is a case that filled hours of discussions and that shocked Spanish society, the terrifying and tragic murder of Asunta. What really happened the night she disappeared?

The Judge Malvar, played by the great actor Javier Gutiérrez, is very obsessed with having the winning hand. Without caring if along the way he exposes those prosecuted to a process without all the guarantees. His attitude reaches the point that leads us to wonder if all judges are like that, and if victory and the desire to win are the only things that matter.

Another interesting thing is the media's role in this entire mess. Whether or not you believe the outcome of this case, we cannot deny the role of the media sensationalizing this horrible case, which, at its core, is of a young girl's tragic murder. It definitely makes you think and ask yourself whether the people who are supposed to protect and care for the general public really have our best interests in mind.

You shouldn't miss this one, with a sensational cast of actors, a true crime story told accurately and a tragic and powerful drama and mysterious thriller.

My Take – Worth a watch!

 

Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult – Came out in 2024.  TikTok dancers join a management firm tied to a church, uncovering disturbing truths about the founders' sinister agenda.

A review from IMDB...

Too long, could have been just a documentary

As many people point out, the story is too short to be made into a series, if it was an 1 hour and half documentary it would have been a lot more consistent. The story is necessary to be told, I myself didn't know about it, and it's hard to understand how people subject them selves to this kind of cult, particularly Miranda, who looked like had everything, a supportive family,a loving sister. Why she would abandoned them and everything to live with a crazy old man with a history of abuse, it's hard to understand.

I agree that people have the right to choose their own paths, even to follow crazy religions , but if there are evidences of sexual assault, as it seems to be the case here, so there should be intervention and investigation, because there are victims. Many victims of sexual abuse don't get away of it because they are too afraid, or because they are threatened, so this is when the police should take a step, which doesn't seem to be the case here. At least they show as if the police couldn't care less about the situation, which is really sad The worst from this miniseries is how they put aside the most serious case involving the cult, the Korean sisters who were actually abused, the series show a little or almost nothing of what happened to them or others like them and this is really frustrating Miranda's sister seem to be the one who suffers more, I really feel sorry for her, and I agree that the parents must not ignore the facts only to be able to see Miranda a little while every year. Miranda's time with the parents at the end is clearly completely superficial, you can see how uncomfortable she is, and how everything seems fake, and her sister is the only one who seems to understand this. All we can hope for is that one day this evil leader may be punished, so he won't hurt anyone else.

My take – An ok watch!

 

Under The Bridge – Came out in 2024.  Fourteen-year-old Reena Virk went to join friends at a party and never returned home. Seven teenage girls and a boy were accused of the savage murder.

A review from IMDB...

I have been a resident of Victoria BC for about 35 years and this is one of two stories that will always upset me when I think about it, the other being the disappearance of Michael Dunahee.

I was only 9 when Reena was murdered but to this day I remember the news coverage and the overall shock felt throughout Victoria was absolutely heartbreaking, for me personally I remember how upset I was at the thought of how scared Reena was and what she went through physically before she died. Those feelings have never gone away to this day and I bet they never will.

The ripple effect it had on those in Victoria regardless if they knew Reena Virk or not was absolutely indescribable. As I'm sure you know by watching this series, hearing about the story beforehand or from living in or close to Victoria, the way Reena was murdered was absolutely horrific to say the very least. I don't even want to compare this to an animalistic act because even wild animals would have more compassion than what was shown to Reena that horrific and unforgettable night.

Its interesting how someone's story can stick with you for your entire life even if you didn't know the victim or their family before or after the crime against them took place. My heart still and always will go out to Reena, The Virk family as well as her friends. I'll never fully know what they went through and what Reena's family and friends will always go through. Those that commited this disgusting crime will never receive the justice they TRULY deserve. I think Reena's story and the story of every murder victim should be a reminder that our justice system needs A LOT of work. Reena, her family and her friends has and always will be in my heart, especially while I drive over the bridge where this crime took place. I'm grateful Reena's story is being told in a way that many outside of Victoria can learn about it because Reena's story NEEDS to be told, so thank you to those that did this show to the best of their ability. Thus far it did have some points that didn't completely express the way this crime effected so many people, but I feel it has done well so far.

My take – Worth a watch!

Adios till next time😊!