Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter

A beautiful examination of a mom's pursuit to unearth the truth. Meticulous research. Beautifully displayed. This story stays with you. The only criticism would be it is such a captivating story I sense that with a little less Netflix paint by numbers storytelling and a little more artistry - this could've been 2020s The Thin Blue Line. Not being dismissive but the "walk into the fire" theme felt like a 13 year old trying to wrap a lame poem around a very serious and heart wrenching story. All said, I've been sat here thinking about the events, the characters, and the failure of the state to protect this poor little girl... it's a harrowing entry into true crime.

Cathy gave up a 10-month old daughter for adoption. What might have been a self-less act for the best for the child was a hole for Cathy. Years later she discovers the child she entrusted to others as a teen went missing with no resolution. Cathy embarks on a seemingly hopeless mission to find resolution in an extremely cold case. Cathy's drive and pain comes through as palpable. It goes into overdrive as Cathy learns more and more about the couple who adopted her child. Cathy, as if through some kind of power only a birth mother can have, knows in her heart who killed her missing child. This is her gut-wrenching story.

I have let little out of the so-called "bag" here. That would be a disservice to the excellent filmmakers here. They have done an amazing job of making what would be an old forgotten missing person's case into a dogged pursuit for closure and justice. Along the way they have captured the unique elements that only the long-game can reveal. Those elements, each of them, are often pain-infused, frustrating, and even highly unlikely to cohere into a kind of final resolution and justice. This is a harrowing ride, but one that due to some inexplicable mother's bond finally comes to a just end. I give the filmmakers the highest honor as to realistically documenting the journey of finally solving this missing child case.

Good True Crime doc from Netflix, which unfortunately is far too rare and long in between something interesting and well produced.

Some creators would milk this story, and make it a drawn-out mess over 5 episodes, but this had a good, fast pace.

The information and how the story is built, keeps the viewer glued, and entertained, without too many repititions.

Next to nothing of mundane or irrevelant information also, or revelations that serves nothing of interest to the doc or story. Bravo!

However, my intentions were not to write a review, but an appeeciaton post. I just wanted to voice my greatfulness towards people like Carl Koppelman, whom I learned of watching this doc.

I really have the deepest respect for people dedicating their time, competency, emotions, grit and thoroughness towards helping others.

In his case also entirely non-profit, (even though he should allow donations, cause he really deserves so much for how many he have helped) which makes him so honorable in my book.

His only goal is to help, and solve, as many cases as he possibly can. Makes me really inspired, I am so happy coexisting with people this kind and dedicated to helping others.

Deserves a medal.

This gripping story has so many tragic twists and turns. It shows what can be achieved through sheer persistence and sharp intuition. Cathy is a mother on a mission to seek the truth and justice for her daughter. She is relentless, sharply intuitive and won't stop at any cost to get it. There are so many interesting themes this documentary explores; including loyalty, sacrifice and the strength of blood connection.

This story is so well told and captivating from the very beginning. I became so emotionally invested in Cathy's pursuit for justice and my heart goes out to her and the families of all victims. Must watch.

Wow. I mean, what else can you say really? What a story, brilliantly told. Catherine is a beautiful soul - the word inspiration doesn't do her justice.

I can't believe I'd never even heard about this before - I'll always give a new Netflix true crime doc a watch, but they're of such wildly varying quality it almost borders on the guilty pleasure. This one was different, and all the more impressive for it.

Gripping like a thriller, paced like a mystery - packs a punch like a tear-jerker. It's the best one they've turned out over under the red N for a long time - and maybe the best singular true crime documentary since The Jinx.