American Murder: The Family Next Door
American Murder: The Family Next Door

Movie spotlight

American Murder: The Family Next Door

2020
Movie
83 min
English

Using raw, firsthand footage, this documentary examines the disappearance of Shanann Watts and her children, and the terrible events that followed.

Insights

IMDb7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes93%
Metacritic72/100
Google Users92%
Director: Jenny PopplewellGenres: Documentary, Crime, True Crime

Plot Summary

This documentary examines the 2018 disappearance of Shanann Watts and her two young daughters, Bella and Celeste, in Frederick, Colorado. Through archived videos and social media footage, it chronicles the events leading up to their tragic deaths and the subsequent investigation that exposed a shocking truth about the family.

Critical Reception

American Murder: The Family Next Door received widespread acclaim for its innovative use of archival footage and its chillingly intimate portrayal of a domestic tragedy. Critics lauded its ability to build suspense and deliver a powerful emotional impact, making it one of the most talked-about true-crime documentaries of its release year.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its innovative storytelling using only real-life footage.

  • Lauded for its emotional depth and unflinching look at a domestic tragedy.

  • Considered a compelling and disturbing examination of a high-profile crime.

Google audience: Viewers found the documentary incredibly disturbing and heartbreaking, commending its unique approach of using the victim's own media to tell the story. Many expressed shock and sadness at the events, while appreciating the raw and powerful nature of the film.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for a BAFTA TV Award for Best Documentary.

Fun Fact

The documentary exclusively uses archival footage, including home videos, social media posts, and news reports, with no new interviews conducted for the film.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
Dean

Dean

Hard to watch. I watched "American Murder: Laci Peterson", watch wasn't easy to watch, but this one is even harder. It will leave you heartbroken. My heart goes to their family.