Tell Them You Love Me is a gripping and thought-provoking 2023 documentary that delves into one of the most complex and controversial cases at the intersection of disability, communication, and consent. Directed with remarkable sensitivity, the film chronicles the relationship between Anna Stubblefield, a university professor, and Derrick Johnson, a nonverbal man with cerebral palsy. Their affair, facilitated through facilitated communication—a disputed technique—escalated into a criminal trial that questioned the very nature of agency and autonomy for people with disabilities.

The documentary expertly presents both perspectives through intimate interviews, archival footage, and legal records, refusing to offer easy answers. It challenges viewers to confront their own biases about disability, sexuality, and who has the right to define consent. The narrative is compellingly structured, building tension as the ethical and legal dilemmas unfold.

Viewers should watch Tell Them You Love Me for its unflinching examination of a morally ambiguous true story. It is a crucial film that sparks essential conversations about representation, power dynamics, and the limits of empathy. The documentary's strength lies in its ability to humanize all parties involved, making it a profoundly moving and unsettling viewing experience that lingers long after the credits roll.