‘Don’t waste your time’: Them on Amazon Prime slated by viewers for ‘exploiting Black trauma’

Them on Amazon Prime Video has been met with fierce criticism on social media following its release on Friday, with viewers telling others ‘not to bother’ streaming the show.

The limited anthology series from breakout creator Little Marvin and executive producer Lena Waithe revolves around a Black family who moves from North Carolina to an all-white Los Angeles neighbourhood during The Great Migration in the 1950s.

The 10-part drama, which stars grime artist Bashy as Henry Emory and Deborah Ayorinde as his on-screen wife Lucky Emory, sees the family’s idyllic home become ground zero where malevolent forces, next-door and otherworldly, threaten to taunt, ravage and destroy them.

When the trailer for Them was released last month, many expressed their concerns over the theme of Black peoples suffering being the show’s focus and it seems that is the basis of its backlash.

‘I’m watching Them series on Amazon prime and honestly it’s just a series of black ppl being tortured I can’t even stomach to finish the rest I have to take breaks to mentally and emotionally prepare myself,’ blasted one.

‘I’m on episode 8 and I think this show is horrible!’

Another viewer kept their take short and sweet, writing: ‘”Them” on Amazon Prime is not good. Don’t waste your time.’

‘Goddamn I tried watching Them on Amazon Prime and talk about exploiting black trauma,’ blasted a third.’After episode 5, I literally cannot watch anymore.’

The reaction wasn’t all completely negative though, as some viewers praised the cast’s performance.

‘Everyone needs to watch #Them on Amazon Prime. EVERY ONE. It’s o incredibly well written, acted, and produced. I’m obsessed and I’m only on the second episode,’ wrote one fan.

Echoing a similar sentiment, another penned: ‘Them on Amazon Prime really was beautifully filmed but super traumatising to me. Don’t know if I’d watch it again but it was a good show and the actors performance was amazing.’

Metro.co.uk said in its review for Them that the show ‘is a testing watch and the relentless Black trauma without a sound message is not worth the heartache.’

Them is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.

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