2024 Show
United Kingdom · English
More of a reiteration than an exposé, this documentary fails to shed new light on a well-known albeit still intriguing scandal
If you’re not familiar with the Ashley Madison scandal like me, then this series—at least initially—comes as a highly addictive watch. Of course you’ll want to know how a dating site promoting infidelity was created, used by millions, and eventually hacked. Who wouldn’t? But the intrigue quickly fades once you realize it’s coming from the subject matter alone. The documentary itself adds little to the discussion. There are no new discoveries to be had and no new angles to look at it from. It could’ve gone philosophical or sociological and looked deeper into why people craved discreet relationships and affairs in the first place. Or it could’ve gone technical and explored the business development side of the story more. It also could’ve conducted its own investigation of the data breach, if not to know who was behind it, then to get closer to cracking the case at least. But as it stands, this Netflix series is just a mere retelling of a Wikipedia page that only occasionally grips you.
When a dating site for people seeking adulterous affairs is hacked, millions of users' intimate data is exposed, wrecking marriages and destroying lives.
Takes a look at the Ashley Madison data breach of 2015, which leaked the information of millions of people who used the extramarital affair dating app.
There is one testimony that stands out from the rest, the one from Christi, whose husband, a seminary professor, was a user of the app. Her was an illuminating story that deserved more space and time and study than what the filmmakers provided here.
It can be addictive, but don’t expect to learn anything new from this documentary.
Renee Cuisia is the lead curator at A Good Movie to Watch. In her spare time, she likes to watch K-dramas and analyze them to death. She's also seen You've Got Mail one too many times but is still convinced it's one of the greatest films out there.
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