TV Review: Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich (Netflix) – Documentary

Based on the 2016 book of the same name by James Patterson and released on Netflix in May 2020, the four-part documentary, Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich, explores the crimes of the wealthy convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and exposes a sex-trafficking ring of powerful enablers leading up to his 2019 arrest. It features interviews with several survivors and former staff members and former police chief Michael Reiter, a key individual from the first criminal case against Epstein.

Rating:

Whether you know about this case or not, you would have at least heard of the name Jeffrey Epstein. If you live in Britain, especially, you will also know of his link to a member of the royal family and the accusations that are currently being made. But if you only know the headlines, this is a documentary series that will shock you to the core.

The documentary may only relay the facts that are already out there, not necessarily adding anything new, but it’s a great starting point if you know little about Epstein. I had only seen what was on the news before watching this so I didn’t realise how horrific the details of this case were, and how much there is still left to uncover. It’s informative and eye-opening, but it also leaves you feeling enraged. The corruption involved is disgusting. If you didn’t realise how big this case is before, you’ll definitely understand the true scale of his crimes after watching this.

With a focus on the survivors as you hear from them directly, it’s a great platform for these women to come together as they bravely share their stories of abuse and lay bear their emotional scars in hope of finding justice. It’s obviously difficult to watch at times, but it’s a truth we all need to be made aware of. There will have to be a new series when Ghislaine Maxwell and Prince Andrew are finally questioned properly as there’s still a huge web of secrets left to uncover, but this series brilliantly updates you on the story so far and will hopefully help begin to reveal the guilty network of the rich and powerful.

While I fear that we are only at the tip of the iceberg, this is a documentary series that you need to watch. Epstein’s crimes needed to be told so plainly like this, for his crimes to be fully exposed, and for the pressure to be put on anyone else who may be involved.