More Than a True Crime Story:

Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why Netflix's The Witness Stayed With Me

By Sarina Fazan

As a journalist, I've covered crime stories, interviewed victims, families, law enforcement officers, and people whose lives have changed in an instant.

So, when I sat down to watch Netflix's The Witness, I expected a compelling true-crime series.

What I didn't expect was to be so deeply moved by a family.

The three-part series tells the story of Rachel Nickell, a young mother who was murdered in London in 1992 while walking with her two-year-old son, Alex. In a heartbreaking twist, Alex witnessed the attack that took his mother's life. What follows is not only the story of a high-profile murder investigation, but also the decades-long journey of a father and son navigating grief, trauma, resilience, and healing.

What makes The Witness so powerful is that it never loses sight of the people at the heart of the story.

Rachel was undeniably beautiful. That is one of the first things viewers notice. But what stayed with me wasn't her appearance. It was the way the people who loved her still speak about her decades later. Through their memories, you see a devoted mother, a loving partner, and a woman whose presence continues to be felt long after she was gone.

The casting is exceptional. The actors bear a striking resemblance to the real-life people they portray, which makes the story feel even more authentic. The performances are heartfelt, believable, and deeply emotional. At times, I found myself forgetting I was watching actors because the portrayals felt so genuine.

I was especially drawn to the relationship between André and Alex.

As a parent, I cannot imagine what André endured. He lost the woman he loved and then faced the enormous responsibility of raising a young son through unimaginable trauma. Yet despite everything they experienced, Alex grew into a thoughtful, compassionate, and reflective man.

One of the questions the series asks is whether understanding trauma is the same as excusing terrible behavior.

My answer is no, but I do believe understanding can help us better understand ourselves.

What struck me most was realizing that two people can experience profound trauma and emerge in very different ways. Trauma may shape us, but it does not have to define us.

The series also left me frustrated. As a journalist, I found myself disappointed by aspects of the investigation and wondering how different decisions may have changed the course of events. Yet I was equally reminded of how important it is for investigators to follow evidence, not assumptions. 

Most true-crime series focus heavily on the perpetrator.

The Witness does something different.

It focuses on the people left behind.

By the final episode, I wasn't thinking about the killer.

I was thinking about Rachel.

I was thinking about André.

I was thinking about Alex.

And I was thinking about the resilience of the human spirit.

"The Witness is not the story of a murder. It's the story of a family, a father's love, and a son's ability to find light despite unimaginable darkness."

For me, it's an easy five stars.

More importantly, it's a story I won't soon forget.

— Sarina Fazan

The Witness has been on Netflix since June 4, 2026

I will Find You

Via Netflix

One of the questions the series asks is whether understanding trauma is the same as excusing terrible behavior

Jordan Bolger as André Hanscombe

Jahsaiah Williams as young Alex Hanscombe in Netflix's The Witness

. Image via Netflix

The Witness Via Netflix

I have to admit, I'm a little biased when it comes to Harlan Coben.

I discovered his books years ago, and ever since then, I've been hooked. In my opinion, he's one of the greatest suspense writers of our time. His stories are packed with twists, turns, secrets, and shocking reveals that keep you guessing until the very end.

So when I heard Netflix was adapting I Will Find You, I couldn't wait to watch.

The series follows a father serving a life sentence for the murder of his own son—a crime he insists he didn't commit. When evidence emerges suggesting his son may actually be alive, everything changes and a desperate search for the truth begins.

What makes this series so compelling isn't just the mystery. It's the emotional pull of a parent's determination, the constant suspense, and that signature Harlan Coben ability to make you question everything you think you know. Every episode reveals another layer, and just when you think you've figured it out, another twist sends you in a completely different direction.

The biggest compliment I can give this show? I couldn't stop watching. I stayed up until 4 a.m. and binged the entire thing in one sitting because I simply had to know what happened next.

If you're looking for a thriller that keeps you engaged, keeps you guessing, and gives you something to look forward to at the end of a long day, I Will Find You is absolutely worth adding to your watch list.

Harlan Coben does it again.

I Will Find You premiered on Netflix, June 18, 2026.