Fact vs Fiction Unveiling the Truth Behind Under the Bridge. Under the Bridge is rooted in a horrific true crime case that is really really horrible. It tells the story of the murder of Reena Virk. It utilizes the framework of an author crafting a book about her hometown, while also watching from Reena’s perspective, and also that of her friends.
Under the Bridge ultimately attempts to reveal how and why something so monstrous could have occurred. It would appear, that months before her death, Reena is feeling ostracized due to her Indian heritage and also due to her family’s being Jehovah’s Witnesses. Worse, she finds herself getting played by Jo — her school’s most manipulative of teenagers who has all the freedom, all the fearlessness that Reena desires. Craving attention and camaraderie, Reena spirals out of control and it ultimately leads to her expulsion from her family’s home.
I will say that I was really fascinated with Rebecca Godfrey’s investigation of the kids and what was going on in real time. At first, I thought the show was creating a temporal leap as she was investigating… which I had presumed was happening after the fact. But instead it was pulled in and directly investigating the murder even before it was discovered to be a murder. Is that really what happened? No, in reality, Godfrey was not directly involved with the police work… and she actually did extensive interviews with those involved after the fact. And while the characters in this story really are based on actual people, there have been some pretty significant changes to the various players involved.
As we watch Reena’s dissappearance unfold, we see that everything is not quite what it originally was seemed to be. We watch as the adults of the community attempt to make sense of the evil and barbarity of Reena’s murder. And the teens? We watch as their ideas and understanding of humanity and the perpetrators’ actions. Worse? There are obvious racial and gender overtures playing out throughout the shows’ runtime.
Are you Intrigued by the Story? Where to Find the Truth…
If you’re curious to delve deeper into the real events, consider checking out Rebecca Godfrey’s book “Under the Bridge” which serves as the source material for the series. It provides a firsthand account of the case and the author’s experiences. You know, THE Rebecca Godfrey in the story. (Meta, I know.)
And while the series takes creative liberties, it doesn’t diminish the impact of the true story. “Under the Bridge” uses fictional elements to engage viewers and raise awareness about this tragic event. It compels us to examine the factors that contribute to such crimes and the lasting impact they have on victims, families, and communities.
As I am writing this post – only five episodes have been released. But having read quickly Godfrey’s book, it’s pretty clear where this show is going, and I’m pretty impressed with the ride. Should be fun to watch it play out over the next few episodes.