Can a person be held responsible for someone’s death simply by sending some text messages? For those who are unfamiliar, this was the crux of the Michelle Carter case. The teenager was tried in the death of her boyfriend, Conrad Roy, after police found texts between the two encouraging him to commit suicide. 

 

The 2014 trial was a media firestorm - due to a mix of her disturbing her actions, the uniqueness of the charges and circumstances surrounding the case, and snarky editorial comments about Carter’s physical appearance that inevitably made the rounds on the social media. 

 

Let’s face it. It was MADE to be a miniseries. 

 

It’s clear from the pilot that this series will be a slow burn. Most of the initial “wow factor” comes from Elle Fanning’s ability to morph from the stunning ingenue we know and love to an awkward, slightly unsettling teenage girl.

 

For those who followed the true-crime story from the get go, it’s unclear (as of episode one) if the miniseries will add much, if anything, to our understanding of the events. Still, Chloë Sevigny is a stand-out as Conrad Roy’s mother, Lynn, and her performance along with Fanning’s make the show worth checking out.