The Manhattan Alien Abduction – Why Is Netflix Being Sued?

The Manhattan Alien Abduction - Why Is Netflix Being Sued?

Key Takeaways

  • Napolitano sues Netflix over misrepresentation in The Manhattan Alien Abduction documentary after failed attempts to prevent it from airing.
  • The lawsuit claims defamation, fraud, breach of good faith, and misrepresentation of character.
  • Despite Napolitano’s claims, Netflix’s documentary appears balanced, giving her a fair platform.

As a lifelong skeptic and lover of all things paranormal, I’ve always been captivated by stories of alien abductions. So when Netflix released “The Manhattan Alien Abduction,” I was intrigued, to say the least. The three-part documentary featured interviews with Linda Napolitano, a woman who claims she was abducted in 1989.


The Manhattan Alien Abduction documentary, which debuted on Netflix a month ago, has sparked quite a commotion. This three-part production includes interviews with Linda Napolitano, who maintains that she was abducted by aliens in 1989. Although the series was generally well-balanced, Napolitano expressed dissatisfaction with her portrayal and has filed a lawsuit against Netflix, attempting to halt its broadcast.

Despite her best efforts, Napolitano couldn’t prevent “The Manhattan Alien Abduction” from premiering on Netflix on October 30th, but the legal proceedings are continuing. The case revolves around several key issues such as fraud and misrepresentation of character. Besides Napolitano’s lawsuit against Netflix, a previous associate of the late ufologist, Budd Hopkins, has also taken legal action against Netflix. This move has been supported by Hopkins’ estate.

Linda Napolitano’s Lawsuit Against Netflix, Explained

The Manhattan Alien Abduction - Why Is Netflix Being Sued?

Linda Napolitano has taken Netflix and other related production companies associated with the series, as well as Carol Rainey, a former ufologist and Budd Hopkins’ ex-wife, to court. The lawsuit was filed mere days before the release of The Manhattan Alien Abduction on their platform. Napolitano claims that she had an early viewing of the three-part documentary and took issue with her portrayal in it. This isn’t the first time Netflix has faced such a situation, as Vince McMahon’s reaction to the Mr McMahon documentary serves as a prime example. However, just because the subject of a documentary is unhappy with their representation, it doesn’t automatically warrant legal action. Since Napolitano’s efforts to halt the documentary were unsuccessful, the validity of her lawsuit also seems questionable.

The Manhattan Alien Abduction - Why Is Netflix Being Sued?

The Different Claims In The Lawsuit Against Netflix

  • Defamation – Napolitano claims that her public image and credibility have been negatively impacted by the Netflix documentary. She basically thinks she was portrayed in a way that frames her as the villain.
  • Fraud – After viewing the finished piece, Napolitano was very unhappy with it. She claims she was told she’d get the opportunity to have a discussion with Carol Rainey, but this never materialized. She also claims her story wasn’t accurately told.
  • Breach Of Good Faith – Napolitano felt like Netflix’s documentary was deceiving.
  • Misrepresentation of Character – This is an interesting one, as Napolitano claims Netflix portrayed a non-existent issue between her and Carol Rainey.

Linda Napolitano’s lawsuit documents state:

Napolitano bore little resemblance or gave the impression of being like the on-screen character. Despite having no disagreements with Carol Rainey, he was intentionally cast as a villain for reasons of stirring controversy and conflict. This portrayal was a blatant and deliberate misrepresentation, designed to uphold a false version of reality.

Netflix’s The Manhattan Alien Abduction Was Balanced So Linda Napolitano’s Lawsuit Has An Uphill Struggle To Succeed

In the Netflix documentary, “The Manhattan Alien Abduction“, Linda Napolitano’s assertions that she was misrepresented seem questionable. The series provided an open platform for Napolitano to express her perspective while exploring other aspects of the story as well. Over the course of three episodes, viewers were given a chance to form their own opinions. Unlike some documentaries that might have dismissed Napolitano’s abduction claims outright, this one gave her a voice, even though some might consider those claims preposterous. There seems to be no evidence of manipulation in the interviews through editing or other questionable practices. Essentially, this was Napolitano’s narrative, and she had the opportunity to share it as she experienced it. Whether the audience chooses to believe her claims is a separate issue entirely.

A plausible explanation for Napolitano filing the lawsuit against Netflix could stem from the fact that she saw an opportunity to make money. Given the popularity of Netflix documentaries, she might have perceived this particular documentary as a chance to capitalize on it. This tactic is reminiscent of her strategy in the late 80s and 90s when she ensured her initial ‘abduction’ story reached various journalists and talk shows. In essence, she’s been profiting from this tale for over three decades, so why halt the money train now? It’s often said that any publicity is good publicity, and this lawsuit will keep her in the limelight, prolonging the life of her story. Regarding Napolitano’s allegation in her lawsuit that Netflix fabricated a feud between her and Carol Rainey in the documentary, it’s crucial to remember her own words at the end of the last episode:

She is a b****. She used my case and me and my family as a tool to get even with Budd.

Just as people can decide for themselves about Napolitano’s alien encounter allegations, they too can form their own opinions regarding any potential dispute between the two women.

Watch The Manhattan Alien Abduction On Netflix Now

Read More

2024-11-08 01:34