Allen v Farrow: Viewers brand Woody Allen HBO documentary ‘distressing and heartbreaking’

First episode of four-part series debuted in the US last night

Viewers have reacted to the “disturbing” first episode of HBO’s Allen v Farrow documentary.

The four-part documentary series aims to go “behind the years of sensational headlines to reveal the private story of” the allegations of sexual abuse against Woody Allen by Dylan Farrow, his then-seven-year-old adoptive daughter with Mia Farrow.

Allen has categorically denied the allegations, which Dylan first made in 1992.

The series also explores the subsequent custody case, as well as Allen’s relationship with Soon-Yi Previn, the adopted daughter of Mia and musician André Previn.

The first episode debuted on Sunday (21 February) night in the US, with viewers saying that they were “distressed” by the documentary’s content.

Read more: Allen v Farrow will sound the death knell for Woody Allen’s career – review

“I just finished the first episode of Allen v Farrow. Distressing & heartbreaking,” one commenter wrote.

“Watching this new doc Allen v Farrow and it’s already filling me sick yucky feelings. Anyone else?” another tweet read.

“Watching episode one of HBO documentary Allen v Farrow. This is disturbing,” one social media user wrote.

Many viewers pointed out that the documentary’s subject matter would be upsetting for some people, with activist Charlotte Clymer tweeting: “Just watched the first episode. It’s very clear this is going to be a phenomenal and incredibly painful doc series.

“If you’re also a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, no matter how many years in therapy, please take the trigger warning seriously. It’s tough.”

Read more: Allen v Farrow: What is it about and how can I watch in the UK?

“There is not one part of Allen v Farrow that isn’t completely befuddling or alarming,” another tweet read. “Every story recounted had me enraged. I can barely communicate how watching all that made me feel and it’s only the first episode.”

Allen and Previn have since responded to the documentary, branding it a “shoddy hit piece”.

“These documentarians had no interest in the truth,” a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter reads. “Instead, they spent years surreptitiously collaborating with the Farrows and their enablers to put together a hatchet job riddled with falsehoods.”