A Difficult Watch That Becomes a Story of Courage
Netflix has never shied away from hard stories in their original documentary content. In 2020, the studio released a four-part series that detailed the life and investigation of super rich investor Jeffrey Epstein. It tackled his clientele, his famous friends, his depraved sexual tendencies, and the very strong women who ultimately championed his end.
The Story
Directed by true crime writer/producer/director Lisa Bryant, and executive produced by names like Bryant, James Patterson, and Dave Sirulnick, Filthy Rich introduces the viewers to Epstein well after he had made his fortune. The story opens in the early 2000’s when Epstein bought a mansion in West Palm Beach, Florida. Viewers are introduced to a number of women who were brought to that estate. They were groomed, pimped out, sexually abused, and humiliated. This was the behavior, the lifestyle, that Epstein had created for himself.
In the first of four episodes, Bryant and her crew do not hold back. Viewers are introduced to Epstein, his right-hand, Ghislane Maxwell, and other names important to the story. Former Palm Springs Police Chief Michael Reiter is introduced as a tireless voice of justice. Survivors, including Annie Farmer, Shawna Rivera, Courtney Wild, Maria Farmer, and Michelle Licata all disclose their torment. These women, and many others, come forward to describe the predatory behavior of Maxwell, Epstein, and more.
The Series
Filthy Rich isn’t designed to sensationalize Epstein’s repetitive, abusive behavior. It isn’t written to shine a spotlight on the victims. At its most salacious, it pits commentary from a victim against that of a prosecuting attorney. The series is well-paced and transitions from a depiction of one man’s repeated predatory behavior to the complications of arresting and capturing one of America’s true one percenters.
The four-part series transcends other documentaries by being equal parts emotional and procedural. The writers flip this back again at the end. In 2019, Epstein died in prison. His death was ruled a suicide and occurred just days before some of his victims could finally face him in a courthouse. They were robbed of that experience. In many of their interviews, they speak about never getting that closure. The man who tore a hole in their souls would never face their words. He died a coward and they will suffer for it.
Conclusion
Filthy Rich is a difficult series to watch. It covers some horrific behavior and often shines a spotlight on why exactly a sexual predator is called a predator. Epstein and his associates had a formula, a target market, and even a business plan on how to abuse young women. If you feel this is something you want to watch, bring a box of tissues, and don’t be too far from something you’ll punch to let the anger out.