The Ashley Madison Affair

Really enjoyed this series. Really interesting story, and a good telling of that historical time. I remember this period well and seeing the hack on the news- fascinating to see what really went on behind the scenes. Ashley Madison was hacked in 2015, but also they were at the forefront of monetizing the internet in the early 2000s. This laid the groundwork for what we see today.

I also thought the analysis of the data from the hack was really well thought-out, and the graphics and archive were good too.

There was a real range of interviewees, from those having affairs, played by actors, to tech experts and journalists. They gave an overall rounded version of the story. Recommend.

The idea of this docuseries is great. Give information about the Ashley Madison scandal, done. The way it's done however, is so incredibly poor. You'll get 10 seconds of talking followed by 30 second of garbage stock footage to pad out the episode. This reals like a way to just stretch 1 episode for 4-5 episodes as a way to pump out more content.

On top of that you get awful actors that are trying so hard to make this their "big break" instead of real people that suffered because of this site.

This should be an example of how NOT to make a docuseries. Slow it down, stick to only the facts and stop jumping to stock footage. We arent 2 year olds that need constant pictures shoved into our faces.

From the 'actors' supposedly retelling the stories, to the 'experts' to the storytelling, itself, this is just horribly done.

The actors, dear God. Absolutely horrible and so desperately trying to be seen. Between all of them there's not a single one that brings script reading ability- it's horribly bad and cringe inducing.

Every few minutes there's lurid AM-type ads, salacious, grotesque footage, the same nonsense over and over, used as filler, but turns an one episode story into three.

The story itself is so impossible to watch/follow; it's scattered, unpalatable and unintelligible. The story makes no sense and then is constantly interrupted with horrible acting, nonsensical ad-like pieces, and ridiculous commentary by someone like Sunny Hostin and the harpies from The View.

We struggled through 20 minutes of the first episode and had to shut it down. We went to the 3rd to see if there was any discussion of the Anonymous hack, and there was none. No discussion of the database that was brought to light that exposed the disgusting behavior by married people using this site to find opportunities to cheat- only one of the AM reps that constantly makes excuses as to why this behavior is totally fine.

Either way, this whole thing is just badly done and a poor excuse for documentary filmmaking. How it's hitting anything above a rating of 2-3 stars is proof that the attempts by this site to get rid of bots is clearly not working.

The Ashley Madison Affair is a highly watchable docuseries that lays out the story of the seedy company's rise to success, shedding light on its founder, Noel Biderman, who unapologetically champions infidelity as a lucrative business endeavor. While the series may not extend much sympathy towards the clientele of Ashley Madison, it's a great roller coaster portrayal of the company's ris , fall and rise .

From the outset, Biderman is depicted as a figure who fearlessly markets infidelity as a viable solution for troubled relationships, bolstered by provocative advertisements that position Ashley Madison's services as a remedy for marital discord. The series doesn't shy away from discussing the repercussions of extramarital affairs, illustrating the devastation they can inflict on individuals and families alike. Consequently, viewers may find it challenging to muster empathy for both the company and its patrons, despite their victimization in a malicious cyberattack.

One of the most intriguing aspects of The Ashley Madison Affair is its exploration of the media frenzy surrounding high-profile individuals, whose names appeared in the site's subscriber list. The sensationalized coverage often led to the vilification of these people, regardless of their actual involvement or circumstances. The series poignantly highlights the tragic consequences caused by such public scrutiny, serving as a cautionary tale about the dangers of moral judgment in the age of digital exposure.

The series features victims, former employees of the company, journalists and data analysts. Most of the users of the site are portrayed by actors, the adulterers presumably anxious to preserve their anonymity, reminding us how society still views infidelity. The series does have some bigger points to make beyond the immorality of cheating, as it offers a sobering lesson about the importance of accountability and discretion in navigating the digital landscape.

Despite its contentious subject matter, "The Ashley Madison Affair" is a compelling exploration of human nature, corporate ambition, and the intersection of morality and technology.

Bad Actors instead of Real People

Woo boy did I turn this off fast!

Don't know about you, but when I settle in to watch a documentary, I look forward to hearing from the REAL victims and all those affected by the scandal.

I appreciate the rawness and vulnerability of real people. Welp, on this one, instead of hearing from the actual people involved, they opt to have actors read testimonials as though it were their own.

They are set up in front of some corny looking props with their names in quotes.

On top of that, they are baaaaaaad actors.

I really hope this is not a trend here to stay.

If you can't get real people to participate in your doc, shelve it and wait. Don't insult the audience with this clownery.