MAID Netflix Drama Series Review

Image credit: Netflix

Like many great TV series and movies on Netflix, MAID came highly recommended. Because of my niche (domestic abuse and narcissistic abuse), there are some amazing people who often recommend related movies, tv series, documentaries or YouTube videos for me to watch. 

I have two online learning programmes that I'm currently project managing, so I thought it would be great to binge watch a nice series on Netflix this weekend and not think about work. I heard about MAID earlier in the week, so I decided it's the one to watch. I watched the first 7 episodes on Friday night and finished watching the remaining 3 episodes this afternoon. I had different feelings throughout. I was moved to tears at different scenes and really laughed out loud at some. By the time I finished watching it, I felt a bit drained afterwards and couldn't just remain indoors. I had to go for a long, relaxed walk afterwards. Yep..it was that real. It was like walking away from a real life intervention case. I know too many families across the globe who are at different stages of dealing with this horror.

Some parts were relatable on a personal level and many parts of it, on a professional level. 14+ years of marriage to a malignant narcissist and four children (all under age 11, youngest was 8 months old at the time) to escape with, I had my own lived experience of domestic violence and post-separation abuse. 

This drama series captures the obvious and insidious patterns of domestic abuse, the decision to leave or to stay, the overall trauma, it's many devastating impacts, the generational errors, generational dysfunctional behaviours from trapped trauma, employer's challenges, the mental and willpower survivors need to overcome the challenges, compromised careers and lifestyles, navigating the byzantine welfare and legal systems, the family court and the decision makers who fail to understand the impacts of the decisions they make on those who will live with the consequences of their ill-informed decisions, a victim trying to protect her child or children from harm is certainly not parental alienation, the family, friends and colleagues who don't recognise the abuse and those who do but minimise it, the confusion about how best to support the victims, perpetrators families and their enabling actions, the lies perpetrators tell themselves and others, the reality that children are not merely witnesses but victims, the reality that domestic violence affects parenting capacity, the fact that there's nothing like ''historical abuse'' because you don't forget just because it happened in the past and you've physically escaped from it, the fact that ''forgive and forget'', ''just let go and move on'' or ''let go and let god'' are terrible things to say to survivors, ''just leave'' isn't a thing to say or suggest,  the help and support from strangers, recognising generational dysfunctions and the willingness to break the cycle....MAID sure captures most of it. 

Image Credit: Netflix

Storytelling helps to understand some challenges and victories in life. For those who are willing to gain better understanding of what domestic violence is particularly when the survivor does not have blood dripping all over them or any physical wounds or scars to prove they're being abused. It captures alcohol addiction, emotional, psychological, financial, coercive control and some incidents of physical abuse. 

The cast was brilliant. Mum and daughter roles were played by real life Mum and daughter, Andie MacDowell and Margaret Qualley as Paula and Alex respectively. 

I'm in turn recommending this series. I have to say, as a teaching resource, it's brilliant to watch. 

MAID is currently showing on Netflix - 10 Episodes

Survivors, please be aware of your own triggers. 

If you're experiencing domestic abuse/narcissistic abuse, without doubt your life and your child(ren)'s lives are certainly at risk. Be encouraged to seek necessary support and intervention. 

If you're a perpetrator, be encouraged to seek necessary support and intervention from professional services and agencies. (Not from your spouse/partner) 

Support for Survivors: 

UK 24-Hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247

More info - https://www.refuge.org.uk/get-help-now/phone-the-helpline/

Emergency Number: 999

Support for Perpetrators

Freephone 0808 8024040

More info - https://respectphoneline.org.uk/