A queasy documentary that shows what happens when you combine Dateline and Cold Case Files with a little Jerry Springer (yikes). Yeah I'm talking about 2026's Maternal Instinct, not to be confused with '92's Basic Instinct, that Dutch vehicle from a few years back, or that badly-panned thriller starring Sir Anthony Hopkins. "Maternal", well it's another yardstick Netflix nuance, exploiting those social media outlets like Facebook and Instagram and I guess Pinterest (hey I'm just spitballing here).
So OK, was "Maternal's" subject Taylor Parker really pregnant despite having a hysterectomy? And did Tay Tay really claim that she accidently killed her best bud to retrieve her unborn tyke? And uh, what's up with the unusual change in appearance via the trial Taylor? I mean I hardly recognized ya.
Anyway Maternal Instinct is shot in the normal video on-demand style, not groundbreaking or completely stirring but not too low-resolution either. Directed by ten-year vet Jessica Dimmock (TV's Home, The Pearl), "Maternal" gives you recent archives and bodycam footage and non-filtered interviews, fashioning the Texas families and friends involved as guests on a trashy talk show (see first paragraph). "Coming from a small town you can trust easy." Can you boss? Can you for reals?
America's favorite streaming service and potty-mouthed accounts aside, Maternal Instinct is well-shot by Dimmock and well-edited by one Carter Gunn (he of 30 for 30 fame). The problem with "Maternal" however, is who it's sensationalizing which is current death row inmate Taylor Parker. I mean this girl should remain anonymous, like those randoms who commit school shootings on the low. Parker is a walking spam alert, the ultimate catfish-er, the ultimate house pourer, the ultimate death of acceptable social networking (no pun intended). Giving her any kind of forum (vocal or non-vocal) or even her own flick for that matter is just plain awry. Last "instinct".
Written by Jesse Burleson
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