7 Seconds Series Review

 

If you’ve ever wanted to scream at your screen and ask, “What the hell??” then Seven Seconds might just be your kind of chaos. This Netflix limited series, created by Veena Sud, takes you on an emotional sprint through tragedy, cover-ups, and courtroom drama—while dragging a half-conscious prosecutor behind it. I’m talking about KJ Harper, played by Clare-Hope Ashitey, a woman so emotionally erratic and drenched in vodka, you’re almost impressed she managed to file anything, let alone open a case.

KJ is the type of character who makes you say, “This tramp,” while side-eyeing her whiskey-fueled spiral. Honestly, she’s a hot mess express barreling through grief and guilt with no seatbelt. You spend half the series wondering if she’s going to cry, puke, or deliver an accidental closing argument that changes lives—and somehow, she does all three.

The core of the story revolves around the tragic hit-and-run of Brenton Butler, a Black teenager struck by a white cop, Peter Jablonski (played by Beau Knapp). And like any good emotional torture device, the show doesn’t just linger on the crime—it deep dives into the ripple effect. Regina King as Latrice Butler (Brenton’s mother) gives a gut-wrenching performance so raw you’ll need hydration. She’s the beating heart of this series, demanding justice with every breath, while navigating the unbearable weight of grief that literally folds her in half.

Russell Hornsby plays Isaiah Butler, the kind of father who holds pain in his chest like it’s sacred. And let’s not forget Michael Mosley as Joe “I Know What I Did” Rinaldi, KJ’s fellow prosecutor who occasionally pops in to be the voice of reason, or at least the guy who doesn’t show up to work marinated in bourbon.

But this isn’t just a courtroom drama—it’s a moral maze. Every episode leaves you asking, “What would I do if I were them?” and then quickly realizing you have no idea because this whole system is a dumpster fire soaked in injustice and scented with institutional failure.

Seven Seconds doesn’t hand you justice—it drags you through the emotional gutter and dares you to look away. Just make sure you’re hydrated and emotionally prepared. And if you start relating to KJ a little too much, maybe it’s time for a deep breath and a therapist.

I love this series and highly recommend it. I give this series 5 out of 5 acorns.