Louis Theroux Produces This Chilling New True Crime Documentary Now on Netflix
Netflix has unveiled its latest true crime documentary, and this time, it comes with the backing of executive producer Louis Theroux.
However, people are already cautioning that it ranks among the most disturbing they’ve ever watched.
The documentary, directed by Nick August-Perna—renowned for his work on The Swell Season—delves into the highly controversial case of Anna Stubblefield.
A former philosophy professor, Stubblefield’s relationship led to a shocking criminal conviction, making this case both captivating and deeply unsettling.
In 2009, 41-year-old Anna Stubblefield crossed paths with Derrick Johnson, a 30-year-old non-verbal man with cerebral palsy.
Their introduction came through Derrick’s brother, John Johnson, setting the stage for a case that would later spark intense debate.
Derek Johnson (left) is the subject of a new true crime documentaryNetflix
John was a student in Stubblefield’s class at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey.
Hoping for guidance, he turned to his professor for advice regarding his brother’s condition.
As reported by The Times in 2015, Stubblefield came from a family deeply rooted in special education, with both of her parents holding Ph.D.s and dedicating their careers to working with individuals with disabilities.
Following in her parents’ footsteps, Stubblefield took it upon herself to assist Derrick in developing his communication skills.
Her involvement eventually led to Derrick enrolling in a class at the university.
At the time married, Stubblefield later asserted that their relationship turned romantic and consensual.
However, Derrick’s mother, Daisy Johnson, strongly disagrees, presenting a vastly different account of events.
One viewer said the doc was ‘unsettling’ to watchNetflix
She maintains that her son lacked the capacity for physical or emotional intimacy.
This controversy lies at the core of the documentary, which explores Stubblefield and Derrick’s relationship, the events leading to a high-profile criminal trial, and the felony conviction that followed.
If this has captured your curiosity, you can check out the trailer for the documentary, Tell Them You Love Me.
Netflix labels the film as ‘scandalous’ and states it delves into ‘a contentious affair between a professor and a nonverbal individual, sparking a legal battle over race, disability, and authority.’
At first, Stubblefield denied any wrongdoing. Yet, in 2016, she was found guilty of aggravated sexual assault and received a 12-year prison sentence.
n 2017, a higher court reversed her conviction and granted a new trial.
The next year, Stubblefield admitted guilt to ‘third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact,’ yet she insists in the documentary that she was ‘not guilty of any wrongdoing.’
Professor sentenced for sexually assaulting disabled mannj.com
since this Theroux-produced true crime documentary premiered on Netflix, social media has been buzzing with strong reactions.
One user on X wrote: “Tell Them You Love Me might be one of the most unsettling documentaries I’ve ever seen on Netflix,” describing it as ‘insane’.
Another viewer shared: “Just finished Tell Them You Love Me, and I’m desperate to discuss it. I feel so torn because I can understand both sides.”
A third viewer confessed the documentary made them feel “deeply uncomfortable,” while another stated, “Tell Them You Love Me is hands down one of the most disturbing documentaries on Netflix.”
This gripping release has sparked widespread debate, making it a must-watch for true crime fans craving something both thought-provoking and profoundly unsettling.
