Netflix series based on real events leaves viewers ‘unsure of who to believe’

The series follows the claims of a woman who says she was abducted by aliens and then that her children were targeted for experiments.

Netflix has released a new docuseries based on a true story, but it has left fans ‘unsure of who to believe’.

The Manhattan Alien Abduction retells the story of Linda Napolitano who says she was abducted by aliens, and made to float mid-air above New York City until she entered a UFO on November 30, 1989.

Over a dozen witnesses eventually came forward to corroborate Napolitano’s claim, stating they saw a woman levitating before floating into something in the sky.

Other contributors to the three-part series include Carol Rainey, the ex-wife of Ufologist Budd Hopkins who wrote a book based on Linda’s experiences.

The documentary explores both sides of Napolitano’s story examining whether it ‘was an elaborate hoax – or proof of alien life’.

However, after watching the series, viewers have been left feeling like they don’t know which is which.

One took to Reddit to share their thoughts and said: “I just finished it! I thought it was really interesting. Not sure who to believe though… “

Another posted saying they believed the abduction happened but that perhaps the story was later embellished.

They said: “I don’t think it’s as simple or black and white as Budd’s wife vs Linda, right or wrong. I think there is some truth from all sides. Budd may have blurred the line between compassion and romantic feelings for Linda and lost some investigative objectivity.”

It is certainly split opinion not long after being released, with one person even claiming they had to pause just minutes into the first episode.

One fan shared: “I’m watching now and after the 1st 2 minutes, I had to pause. To ask Google if this was actually a mockumentary? Because I don’t think I’ve ever seen this woman or this case, mentioned. Ever. That alone has me feeling pretty sceptical.”

This is not the first time Napolitano’s story has been shared. It was initially detailed by Hopkins in his 1997 book Witnessed: The True Story of the Brooklyn Bridge Abduction, later featured in the 2018 podcast Somewhere in the Skies, and in a 2022 documentary titled Linda Napolitano: The Alien Abduction of the Century.

Napolitano has expressed her disappointment with Netflix’s portrayal of her story, even filing a lawsuit against the company in an attempt to prevent the documentary from being released.

She claims she felt blindsided by its content upon viewing it herself and alleges that the show paints her as ‘a villain for purposes of controversy and conflict’.

Manhattan Alien Abduction is streaming now on Netflix.