Gripping binge-watch for true-crime fans, though some thematic elements feel stretched. The Spool
Reviews for the 2022 FX docuseries generally praise its harrowing and timely exploration of the broken American family court system while noting some narrative sprawl. Critics on Rotten Tomatoes describe it as an eye-opening and "nuanced" look at vigilante Faye Yager and her network for abused children. Critical Consensus Children of the Underground
: Multiple reviews highlight the documentary’s refusal to paint Yager as a pure hero, instead presenting her as a complicated figure whose methods were often messy and legally questionable. Review Highlights Key Takeaway Common Sense Media : Some critics noted a "muddy visual approach"
Heartbreaking and timely; powerful examination of court system failures. Laughing Place such as those at RogerEbert.com
: Some critics, such as those at RogerEbert.com , felt the five-part series became "tangled" by focusing on too many different survival stories and side topics like the Satanic Panic.
: Some critics noted a "muddy visual approach" and repetitive interview motifs that didn't always enhance the storytelling. Children of the Underground movie review - Roger Ebert