When Under the Bridge premiered on Hulu in April 2024, it quietly became one of the most haunting and emotional true-crime series in years. Based on Rebecca Godfrey’s book of the same name, the miniseries revisits the brutal 1997 murder of Reena Virk, a 14-year-old girl from British Columbia whose death shocked Canada and the world.
Unlike many crime dramas that sensationalize violence, Under the Bridge stands out for its empathy. It tells Reena’s story not just as a victim, but as a teenager caught in the turbulence of adolescence, identity, and belonging.
As crime journalist Dr. Maya Ellis noted,
“This series does what true-crime often fails to do it gives voice to the voiceless.”
Inside the Story of ‘Under the Bridge’
Under the Bridge blends fact and fiction to paint a multidimensional picture of a crime that still resonates decades later. The story follows Reena Virk (played by Vritika Gupta), a South Asian teen struggling to fit in among her peers. After a night out with friends in 1997, Reena disappears only to be found brutally murdered days later under a bridge in Saanich, British Columbia.
Two women drive the narrative: Rebecca Godfrey (Riley Keough), a writer investigating the murder for her book, and Cam Bentland (Lily Gladstone), a fictional police officer determined to seek justice for Reena. The series explores the complexity of their investigation while peeling back the layers of a toxic teenage social circle where bullying and betrayal turned fatal.
Overview of ‘Under the Bridge’
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Under the Bridge |
| Platform | Hulu (U.S.), Disney+ (International) |
| Release Date | April 17, 2024 |
| Episodes | 8 |
| Genre | Crime Drama, True Crime, Psychological Thriller |
| Based On | Rebecca Godfrey’s 2005 Book Under the Bridge |
| Main Cast | Riley Keough, Lily Gladstone, Archie Panjabi, Vritika Gupta, Chloe Guidry |
| Setting | British Columbia, Canada (1997) |
| Themes | Adolescence, Identity, Bullying, Justice, Grief |
Eligibility of the Story: Why Reena’s Case Still Resonates?
Reena Virk’s murder remains one of Canada’s most infamous crimes because it shattered perceptions about youth violence and cultural integration. Reena, a young Indo-Canadian girl from a Jehovah’s Witness family, was an outsider in her school and community.
The case’s disturbing details that her peers were responsible for her death forced a national reckoning. As criminologist Prof. Alan Hurst remarked,
“Reena’s story reminds us that cruelty doesn’t always wear a mask; sometimes, it looks like a classmate.”
The Benefits of Hulu’s Retelling — Empathy Over Exploitation
Unlike traditional true-crime dramas that focus on perpetrators, Under the Bridge shifts attention to the victim and the ripple effect of violence. Through flashbacks, we see Reena’s dreams, insecurities, and moments of hope, painting her as a full human being, not just a headline.
Archie Panjabi delivers a moving performance as Suman Virk, Reena’s mother, showing the devastating impact of loss and the courage to pursue justice. Lily Gladstone’s nuanced portrayal of Cam Bentland adds depth to the police investigation, while Riley Keough’s Rebecca Godfrey offers an outsider’s view into the heart of a fractured community.
Entertainment critic Sophie Grant praised the show’s approach, stating,
“This isn’t just a whodunit; it’s a meditation on grief, guilt, and the violence that hides behind teenage cruelty.”
Production & Viewing Details
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Production Companies | Hulu Originals, ABC Signature |
| Director(s) | Quinn Shephard, Geeta Patel |
| Created By | Quinn Shephard |
| Writer(s) | Quinn Shephard, Samir Mehta, Liz Hannah |
| Filming Location | Vancouver, British Columbia |
| Availability | Streaming exclusively on Hulu (U.S.) |
| Runtime per Episode | 45–55 minutes |
Comparative Insight: ‘Under the Bridge’ vs Other True-Crime Series
| Series | Platform | Story Focus | Tone | Unique Element |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under the Bridge | Hulu | Victim-centered crime narrative | Somber, empathetic | Focuses on adolescence and community trauma |
| Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story | Netflix | Serial killer perspective | Dark, psychological | Deep dive into the killer’s psyche |
| Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal | Netflix | Family and corruption | Investigative | Explores systemic power abuse |
| A Friend of the Family | Peacock | Kidnapping and manipulation | Emotional, tense | Psychological control and victimization |
This comparative approach shows that Under the Bridge diverges from the sensational true-crime model; instead, it seeks emotional truth.
Recent Updates and Reception
Since its release, Under the Bridge has gained both critical acclaim and emotional resonance with audiences.
- July 2024: Lily Gladstone received an Emmy nomination for Best Actress in a Limited Series.
- August 2024: The series won a Peabody Award for its “empathetic storytelling in the true-crime genre.”
- November 2024: Hulu announced that the show became one of its most-watched limited dramas of the year.
Critic Mark Reynolds summarized it best:
“In a media landscape obsessed with killers, Under the Bridge dares to remember the victim.”
Why ‘Under the Bridge’ Matters in 2025?
The story of Reena Virk isn’t just a crime tale it’s a mirror held up to society. It examines the cruelty of adolescence, the power of social exclusion, and how justice often arrives too late.
In an age where online bullying and youth alienation are still rampant, Under the Bridge feels painfully relevant. It’s not just about what happened under that bridge in 1997 it’s about the bridges we burn between empathy and understanding.
As social psychologist Dr. Naomi Clark put it,
“Reena’s story forces us to confront the darkness within ordinary lives and how easily cruelty can masquerade as belonging.”
FAQs
It’s based on Rebecca Godfrey’s 2005 book of the same name, chronicling the real-life murder of Reena Virk in Canada.
Vritika Gupta portrays Reena Virk with an emotional and authentic performance.
While mostly faithful to the real case, the show includes fictionalised elements and composite characters for narrative depth including the role of Detective Cam Bentland.
The miniseries has eight episodes, each around 50 minutes long.
It’s available for streaming exclusively on Hulu in the U.S. and on Disney+ internationally.
The title references the location where Reena’s life tragically ended, symbolising both a literal and emotional crossing point in the story.
