In 2014, 17-year-old Michelle Carter sent a series of texts to her 18-year-old boyfriend Conrad Roy encouraging him to take his own life. Later that night, Roy committed suicide, and the subsequent discovery of Michelle's texts launched an investigation that eventually landed the teenager 15 months in jail for involuntary manslaughter.
Naturally, the TV dramatization of this harrowing case is both a deeply disturbing and compelling watch. Created by Liz Hannah and Patrick Macmanus, "The Girl from Plainville" takes a deep dive into Michelle and Conrad's relationship, Conrad's suicide, and the grueling trial that followed.
The show saw largely positive reviews from critics, who praised it for its tactful handling of the delicate subject matters of suicide and mental health struggles and lauded Elle Fanning's performance as Michelle.
Audiences were a little less taken by the show, however, calling it slow, and saying that it felt dragged out and likely would have worked better as a film. Still, "Plainville" is absolutely worth watching on the merit of its staggering premise alone, as well as its undeniably complex handling of tough subjects.
