Showtime’s The Affair: the Rashomon effect, eyewitness testimony, and lack of reliability in homicide

Objective: The Rashomon effect explores point of view in storytelling, and the subjectivity of even honest narratives is based on point of view. In 1950, Rashomon was the first film to explore this. Currently, The Affair explores the differences in story based on point of view. Both clinical and forensic psychiatrists must consider point of view when hearing narratives from patients or defendants. Conclusion: The Affair provides an excellent contemporary example through which to explore the Rashomon effect in conceptualization of eyewitness testimony and reliability of reporting.