The Vanishings on Channel 5 has stirred significant controversy following its exploration of the grim disappearances of young women during the late 1980s and 90s, known as the "vanishing triangle". While the show, which airs under the title The Vanishing Triangle on Acorn TV, positions itself as inspired by real events, many critics argue it melts genuine suffering with sensationalized, dramatic storytelling.
The series stars Allen Leech as Detective David Burkely and India Mullen as the intrepid journalist Lisa Wallace. The plot revolves around Wallace's investigation of the mysterious disappearance of teenager Amy Reynolds, echoing real-life cases unsolved to this day. According to The Daily Mail's Christopher Stevens, the show blends police procedural elements with horror tropes, intending to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. He notes, "The Vanishings (Channel 5) is part police procedural, part horror movie. We follow the minutiae of the investigation, but there are also scares to make your heart lurch."
Critics have been quick to highlight the show's insensitivity to the real-life tragedies it appears to depict. One prominent critique states, "The women whose deaths remain unsolved deserve Better..." This sentiment echoes throughout the commentary surrounding the series, with numerous commentators lamenting the portrayal of serious subject matter as fodder for entertainment. There’s concern over how the series handles its real-life inspirations, which for many survivors or family members of victims are painful reminders of loss and injustice.
Adding to the criticism is the backdrop of police indifference depicted throughout the drama, calling to mind allegations of outdated attitudes within the Gardai. Comments about victims’ behaviors and assumptions about their lifestyles are portrayed as relics of the past, illustrating the negligence often shown by authorities toward women who went missing. Critics underline this by referencing lines spoken by desk officers who, when responding to calls about missing women, exhibit sexist attitudes, implying the victims must have been out enjoying themselves.
Stevens suggests the handling of its narrative may impact viewers adversely by juxtaposing harrowing elements with moments intended purely for shock value. Reflecting on the show’s darker narrative techniques, one critic remarked, "...I find this subject matter all too predictably grim with more than a whiff of exploitation." It’s this duality—that of engaging storytelling versus the necessary caution when relating entertainment to real-world horrors—that sits at the heart of the audience’s discomfort.
Indeed, the program’s duality continues within its characters. Lisa Wallace, also portrayed by Mullen, is depicted as driven but traumatized, having lost her mother to murder at the tender age of ten. Critics point out her character arc follows common tropes found throughout crime dramas, presenting her quest for truth at the cost of her own boundaries and ethics. Critics dismiss this portrayal as clichéd, believing the character might perpetuate stereotypes about female journalists rather than creating authentic representations.
Further enmeshment of sensationalism is evident when the series uses thematic devices reminiscent of horror cinema. Many sequences within the series have been noted to resemble scenes from psychological thrillers, diverging from how audiences might prefer to engage with dramatic portrayals of tragic events. This formula, some critics contend, falls flat and transforms the narrative away from respectful storytelling to one perceived as exploitative.
Even the choice of promotional framing for the show has drawn critique, with some believing the title change from The Vanishing Triangle to The Vanishings indicates awareness of the delicate nature underpinning the representation of missing women. The notion of relabeling highlights the complicated relationship viewers have with true crime series and narratives inspired by genuine tragedies, raising questions about the motives driving such narratives.
While Channel 5 attempts to entertain, the decision to draw from real events raises ethical questions about the responsibilities writers, producers, and networks carry when adopting historical tragedies for creative projects. Many critics are left pondering whether viewers should be subjected to yet another dramatization of female terror themed for the purpose of sheer entertainment.
Reflecting broader societal movements toward responsible storytelling, The Vanishings faces scrutiny not just for its plot but for its approach to addressing real-life issues surrounding violence against women. The stark difference between artistic license and ethical representation stirs palpable debate among audiences and experts alike. A common call to action reverberates through the criticisms—shape narratives carefully and remain mindful of the stories we tell and their lasting repercussions.
So, as Channel 5 continues to present The Vanishings, the conversation around it persists—a cautionary tale serving to remind all storytellers of the weight real experiences carry and the sensitivity required when weaving them for entertainment.