“The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez” examines a disturbing case, shows how the system failed, and brings attention to child abuse and neglect.
Find out where to watch “The Trials Of Gabriel Fernandez” and learn how the child protection system worked back in the early 2000s.
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What Is The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez About?
The Netflix documentary series “The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez” is about the case of Gabriel Fernandez, an 8-year-old boy whose mother, Pearl Fernandez, and her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre, brutally abused and killed him in 2013. The documentary shows what Gabriel went through physically and mentally over time.
The series looks at what led to Gabriel’s death and why various agencies — including the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) — did not stop the abuse and protect Gabriel. It raises important questions about how the child protection system failed and what happens to neglected or abused children.
The six-part documentary started streaming on Netflix in 2022.
Who Are in the Cast and Production of The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez?
American filmmaker Brian Knappenberger directed “The Trials Of Gabriel Fernandez.” Knappenberger is also known for his work on documentaries such as “We Are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists” and “Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press.”
The documentary series “The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez” offered interviews with key players in the case. Members of Gabriel Fernandez’s family, social workers, attorneys, and law enforcement officials made appearances in the series. They all played a role and involvement in Gabriel’s abuse and trials.
What is the Rating for The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez?
“The Trials Of Gabriel Fernandez” is rated TV-MA in Canada, which means that the show is appropriate for mature audiences only due to mild to moderate depictions of language, nudity, and sexual content.
How Many People Watch The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez?
It got much attention in the news and on social media, which helped spread the word and reach more people. But streaming services like Netflix don’t usually share exact viewership numbers with the public.
How Are The Reviews For Trials of Gabriel Fernandez?
“The Trials Of Gabriel Fernandez” received mixed reactions from critics. Some viewers found it chilling to watch, but despite its eerie theme, the documentary did not delve into the details of Gabriel Fernandez, leaving them clueless about further details on the trial. The documentary scored 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, 75/100 on Metacritic, and 8.1/10 on IMDb. See what critics say about “The Trials Of Gabriel Fernandez”:
- “Documenting a horrifying story from every conceivable angle, “The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez” examines the abuse and murder of an eight-year-old boy by his mother and her boyfriend and how the system failed to protect him. Difficult to watch, the documentary is inevitably compelling but structurally messy — a byproduct, perhaps, of stretching the material over six parts,” says Brian Lowry of CNN.
- “The uncomfortably ominous reenactments of this series—by and large suturing devices between interviews and courtroom footage—do nothing to enhance our understanding of the Gabriel Fernandez case. At times, they even work against what we already know,” says Ed Gonzalez of SLANT.
Where To Watch The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez?
You can watch “The Trials Of Gabriel Fernandez” on streaming services in Canada.
Is The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez Available on Streaming?
Netflix
“The Trials Of Gabriel Fernandez” is exclusively available on Netflix. To watch the show on the platform, sign up for an account and avail of any of the following subscription plans of your choice:
Plan | Price | Number Of Simultaneous Screens | Streaming quality |
Basic with ads | CAD$5.99 | 1 device | SD |
Basic | CAD$9.99 | 1 device | HD |
Standard | CAD$16.49 | 2 devices | HD |
Premium | CAD$20.99 | 4 devices | Ultra HD |
With a Netflix subscription, you can stream series and movies on various devices, including smartphones, smart TVs, PCs, laptops, tablets, game consoles, and web players like Chromecast and Roku. You can also download Netflix’s content to your device for when you want to stream offline.
Is The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez available on VOD?
“The Trials Of Gabriel Fernandez” is not available on any video-on-demand services in Canada.
Is The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez on Cable or Free TV?
“The Trials Of Gabriel Fernandez” does not air on cable channels or free-to-air televisions in Canada.
Should I Use a VPN to Watch The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez?
There is no need to use a VPN service since “The Trials Of Gabriel Fernandez” is readily available on Netflix Canada.
Protect The Children
“The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez” delves into the shocking abuse endured by Gabriel as depicted in graphic detail throughout the series. The events that led to the death of Gabriel caused widespread concern and prompted many to discuss improving child welfare and creating new safeguards for vulnerable youth. While the documentary left viewers distraught, the case of Gabriel imparted a valuable lesson on the importance of protecting the younger generation.
You can watch “The Trials Of Gabriel Fernandez” on Netflix Canada.