‘The Curious Case of Natalia Grace’ Review: A Tragic True Crime Documentary Series
The six-part Investigation Discovery series The Curious Case of Natalia Grace profiles a real-life case that closely parallels events depicted in the Orphan movies. But the goings-on portrayed in this true crime docu-series are far stranger than fiction. The case examined here is also much more stomach-churning than anything depicted within the film.
In addition to being stomach-churning, The Curious Case of Natalia Rose is also filled to the brim with uncertainty. In fact, the series concludes with no definitive verdict on many aspects of the case. As for who the real villain of the piece is, we’re given enough information to draw our own conclusions. But there are so many different accounts that it can be tricky to pin down precisely where the truth lies.
In 2010, the Barnett family adopted Natalia, a Ukrainian child with a rare form of dwarfism. After bringing the young woman into their home, the adoptive family discovered that Natalia had already reached sexual maturity and was clearly older than they were led to believe. Additionally, they were surprised to learn that Natalia didn’t speak a word of Ukrainian, in spite of being a native of that country. The Barnetts also reported their adopted daughter displaying disturbing and violent tendencies. What follows is a whirlwind of abuse, neglect, and conflicting accounts of what transpired.
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Based on the way the evidence is relayed to the viewer, one goes into the story assuming that Natalia is the villain of the piece. But as the case is presented, one starts to wonder if her adoptive parents may be the true antagonists of this horrifying story. They responded to Natalia’s eccentricities by taking away her bed, making her sleep outdoors, and obstructing her ability to contact social services.
One could argue that the Barnett family may have had good intentions when they adopted Natalia. And I’m sure they were shocked to learn that she was older than they were told. But no amount of goodwill or misinformation can excuse their role in the ordeal.
Throughout the course of the series, we learn that Natalia was passed around to a number of different families. During her early years, one of her adoptive families tried to pawn her off on several different couples. But it wasn’t as if they were trying to find a home better suited to Natalia’s needs. No, they were trying to unload an unwanted child. And that wasn’t the only time Natalia experienced that. So, one has to question how that continuous abandonment impacted her psychological development. And I additionally wonder if being repeatedly abandoned led to some of the behavior that the Barnetts labeled as sociopathic, if said behavior happened at all.
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We eventually learn that the Barnetts had a judge legally re-age Natalia to have her classified as an adult. They then proceeded to put her up in her own apartment. What I find quite telling in all of that is the way that Natalia latched onto her neighbors when she was sent out on her own. The folks that lived nearby came to think of her as a pest. But Natalia had no one. The idea that she was trying to form a bond with the people around her seems like the most natural thing in the world. She was looking for love and attention. In the wrong places, of course. But that seems to suggest she may not be as antisocial or vindictive as the Barnett family might like people to think.
Regardless of her more troublesome traits, I can’t help but see a young woman desperately looking for human connection. Everyone Natalia encountered in her impressionable years cast her aside. She likely never had anyone show her how to conduct herself. So, I ultimately came away from watching The Curious Case of Natalia Grace feeling a profound sense of compassion for the young woman at the center of the story.
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My sole criticism of the series is that it runs a bit longer than I’d have liked. The story could likely have been consolidated into four or five episodes at most. There is some fat that could have been trimmed to give the show a leaner runtime. But in spite of being a bit lengthy, the material is still compelling and makes for a fascinating viewing experience.
If you’re interested in checking The Curious Case of Natalia Grace out for yourself, you can scope it on Investigation Discovery beginning May 29th at 9/8 Central. The series will air for three consecutive nights in two-hour blocks.
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The Curious Case of Natalia Grace
Summary
‘The Curious Case of Natalia Grace’ is a compelling account that keeps the viewer questioning who the real villain of the story is.
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