She is the star in “Dear Child”: Naila Schuberth (12) plays Hannah. Disturbing, robust, clever, and fearful at the same time – her acting performance is worthy of an award.

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Every once in a while, Netflix subscribers stumble upon a hidden gem that catapults to an unexpected level of popularity. “Dear Child,” a production from Germany (Constantin Television), is suddenly the best Netflix series in the world – and it is like that! Incomprehensible! Exciting!

Haley Louise Jones (34, m.) plays operations manager Aida Kurt. She is just as brilliant as the rest of the team.

Despite its dark subject matter, the six-episode thriller has captured global audiences. Thankfully, it is not based on a true story, so viewers can rest assured that the nightmarish family portrayed in the show does not exist.

The six-part thriller has only been on display for a few days, and there are already gigantic viewing figures: “Dear Child” has already been watched over 25 (!) million times – in 82 countries.

Maybe it is because the story seems so familiar. That is what it is about A woman named Lena (Kim Riedle, 41) is found seriously injured in the forest. She was hit by a car. With her is her daughter Hannah (Naila Schuberth, 12), unhurt but scared.

Scene from “Dear Child”: As soon as Dad enters the dungeon, Lena and the children have to show their hands for control. So that they do not hide any objects that could hurt.

At first, the case is a mystery for the emergency services. However, in the hospital, a cruel fate slowly emerges: Hannah lives with her mother and little brother Jonathan in a house without windows, monitored and controlled by “Papa.”

The more details come to light, the more horrific and exciting the story becomes. “Dear Child” is convincing from minute one. The script is based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Romy Hausmann - but of course, the fictional plot is reminiscent of the cruel reality.

Her case made headlines worldwide: Natascha Kampusch was locked up in a house in Austria for eight years.

For example the fate of Natascha Kampusch (35), whom her kidnapper held in his house for eight years. And also the case of Josef Fritzl (88). He held his daughter prisoner in an underground apartment from 1984 to 2008, raped her multiple times, and fathered seven children with her.

What makes “Dear Child” so exciting is that one twist follows the next for six episodes. You learn the children's thoughts; you hear the threatening voice of the kidnapper, which has drilled itself deep into Lena's head and continues to influence her actions even after she appears safe for a long time.

Every minute of the series gives viewers more insight into the psychological and physical torment the children and women endured in their prison without daylight. The children are traumatized without knowing it - because they have never left their “home” in their lives. Everything has rules: eating, sleeping, speaking, behavior - even going to the toilet is timed to the minute. Are they peeing outside of the time set by your tormentor? Forbidden! “Dear Child” is and has everything: crime, thriller, spooky factor, thrill. Moreover, actors make the viewer shudder because everything feels so understandable (if simultaneously bizarre).

However, global success surprised everyone, especially the makers, including Netflix.

Who knows: You can continue biting your nails with excitement in a second season soon.

It is worth noting that the cast of this production features some genuinely standout performances. Naila Schuberth and Kim Riedle both deliver excellent portrayals of their respective characters. Still, it is worth highlighting Justus von Dohnányi's portrait of Hannah's grandfather and Julika Jenkins' moving performance as a grieving mother and grandmother with a surprising secret. Finally, Hans Löw shines as Gerd Bühling, a key figure in the story's investigation.