Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Disturbing, hollow celeb trial docu spotlights social media.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Depp v. Heard
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
DEPP V. HEARD is a three-part docuseries that focuses on the social media frenzy surrounding actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard during their 2022 defamation trial. After Heard penned an op-ed piece for The Washington Post in 2018 stating that she was a victim of domestic violence during the time period she was married to Depp, he filed a defamation lawsuit against her. She counterclaimed, and they went to trial in April 2022. This docuseries offers excerpts from the televised trial, and weaves in footage of some of the endless social media conversations about, and reactions to, what was happening throughout.
Is It Any Good?
The problematic docuseries attempts a balanced conversation about social media interest in the trial, relying on random opinions while excluding experts and journalists to assist in telling the story. Depp v. Heard trial scenes are edited together with excerpts from TikTok, YouTube, and other online content create an odd collage that feels like a tabloid, and which fails to offer any sort of thoughtful evaluation of social media's interest in, and conversations about, celebrity and domestic violence. Granted, Depp v. Heard is not intended to encourage people to change their minds about the actors or the trial verdict, and it does highlight the hero worshipping of Depp that took place among social media users while showcasing the ugly, and often vile way they characterized Heard. But one can also argue that it's the docuseries itself that serves as evidence of how deplorable media conversations about domestic violence cases can become.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the way media has addressed domestic violence throughout the years. Why are survivors often afraid to go public with their stories?
Does Depp v. Heard offer a responsible exploration of social media and celebrity trials? Why or why not? What messages does it send about media coverage of domestic violence?
TV Details
- Premiere date : August 16, 2023
- Cast : Johnny Depp , Amber Heard
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Reality TV
- TV rating :
- Last updated : August 31, 2023
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