Alien Abduction Claimant Files Lawsuit Against Netflix

Linda Napolitano, a New York woman who alleges she was abducted by aliens in 1989, has filed a lawsuit against Netflix over its upcoming docuseries The Manhattan Alien Abduction, set for release on October 30. Napolitano, along with the estate of Budd Hopkins, the late author who documented her story in a 1997 book, argues that the series defames her, distorts her experience, and unlawfully uses Hopkins’ work without permission. The lawsuit, filed in New York Supreme Court, seeks damages and a court order to halt the show’s release.

The complaint names Netflix, Top Hat Productions, members of the production team, and the estate of Carol Rainey—Hopkins’ ex-wife—who plays a significant role in the series. Napolitano claims the producers misled her by promising a fair depiction of her story, only to portray her as deceptive for the sake of controversy. She alleges she was assured that only one interview with Rainey, a critic of her account, would be used and that the series would finally tell the “true story” of her experience. However, when Napolitano saw a preview screening in September, she found Rainey’s involvement to be far more prominent, with the documentary framing her as untrustworthy and manipulative.

Rainey challenges the validity of Napolitano’s claims throughout the series, accusing her of deceiving Hopkins during the writing of his book. The lawsuit describes Rainey as an unreliable source, calling her an “embittered, alcoholic ex-wife” intent on tarnishing Hopkins’ legacy and seeking revenge against him. Napolitano argues that Netflix allowed Rainey to dominate the narrative, portraying her as a leading skeptic in the field while casting Napolitano as the villain. She claims the series distorts her character, undermining her reputation as an honest person.

Napolitano and the Hopkins estate further allege that Netflix used elements from Hopkins’ book, Witnessed: The True Story of the Brooklyn Bridge Abduction, without authorization. The book was the first to document Napolitano’s story, which claims she was abducted by aliens on November 30, 1989, and made to float in mid-air above Manhattan before being taken into a UFO. Hopkins reported that several witnesses came forward, saying they saw a woman levitating before disappearing into an alien spacecraft. Napolitano argues that the docuseries borrows from Hopkins’ work without credit and misrepresents the original narrative.

Napolitano’s story has intrigued and divided audiences over the years. It was previously featured in the 2018 podcast Somewhere in the Skies and the 2022 documentary Linda Napolitano: The Alien Abduction of the Century. Netflix’s promotional materials for the new series suggest it explores whether her story was an elaborate hoax or genuine evidence of extraterrestrial life. The trailer features an unnamed participant saying Napolitano “pulled the wool over Budd’s eyes,” adding to the controversy around the show.

Napolitano insists that the docuseries causes irreparable harm to her and Hopkins’ legacies. She argues that the producers exploited her story for sensationalism, transforming her into a source of conflict rather than truthfully presenting her experience. The lawsuit claims the series will “destroy her reputation as an honest and decent person,” accusing Netflix of prioritizing entertainment value over fairness.

As of Tuesday, Netflix had not responded to the lawsuit or filed a legal response. Representatives for the streaming platform also did not respond to requests for comment.

Napolitano remains resolute about her account, despite the skepticism it has attracted. In the trailer for the docuseries, she says, “It’s not easy to believe, let’s face it. But these aliens, if they want you, they’re gonna get you.” With the release of The Manhattan Alien Abduction looming, it remains unclear whether the court will intervene in time to stop it.