Netflix’s new series Maid, based on Stephanie Lang’s memoir Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive, depicts a heart wrenchingly accurate portrayal of domestic violence and the struggle of proving it in court.

The series follows Alex, a young, single mother who recently decided to leave her abusive boyfriend, Sean. She takes her daughter, Maddy, with her. A convoluted custody battle ensues when Sean claims that Alex took her child away from him.
Without a job and home, Alex turns to being a housekeeper and reluctantly moves into a domestic violence shelter.

The series then shows her custody battle with Sean and the struggles that go along with it. Because Sean’s abuse never reached physicality, Alex has trouble coming to terms with calling herself a victim of domestic violence and proving his abusive tendencies in court.

The show depicts this constant tug or war between the two quite realistically. Though the audience is aware of Sean’s abuse and sides with Alex, proving his abuse proves difficult in court.

The series subverts the typical storyline in which the main character easily proves his or her case against the villain. Alex’s journey to proving her case is slow, and this causes the audience to root for her even harder.

Unlike characters in most Netflix series, Alex is an extremely likeable protagonist. Though she has her flaws, her drive and love for her daughter allow for all audiences to root for her. She’s complex and convoluted — a nice refresher considering Netflix’s past history with protagonists.

The show is filmed in a moody manner, with long shots lingering on characters and drab scenery that exemplifies the reality of the story.

Though the show might benefit from a few more intricate shots, the cinematography is done well. The documentary-style filming makes Alex’s story more personal and lets the audience connect better with the characters.

Overall, Maid provides a gripping story with captivating characters and an authentic look at the realities of domestic violence.