Crime Scene
Crime Scene

Movie spotlight

Crime Scene

2021
Movie
70 min
Portuguese

A structuralist slow-burn investigation thriller. In a high-class neighbourhood in Rio De Janeiro a young woman is murdered. Detectives are contacted but the killer continues around.

Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes70%
Metacritic59/100
Google Users78%
Director: Joe BerlingerGenres: Documentary, Crime, Mystery

Plot Summary

This docuseries delves into the dark history of Los Angeles' Cecil Hotel, focusing on notorious crimes and mysterious disappearances that have occurred within its walls. It specifically investigates the baffling 2013 death of Elisa Lam, a Canadian tourist whose body was found in a water tank on the hotel's roof. The series explores the hotel's grim past and the many tragic events that have unfolded there.

Critical Reception

The series received mixed to positive reviews, with many critics praising its in-depth investigation and atmospheric storytelling. However, some found the narrative structure to be repetitive and criticized the exploration of certain historical crimes as tangential to the central Elisa Lam mystery. Audiences were generally engaged by the true-crime aspect and the historical context of the Cecil Hotel.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its thorough examination of the Elisa Lam case and the Cecil Hotel's infamous history.

  • Critiqued for potentially straying too far into other notorious crimes, diluting the focus.

  • Lauded for its chilling atmosphere and compelling, albeit unsettling, true-crime narrative.

Google audience: Viewers found the documentary captivating and suspenseful, particularly appreciating the deep dive into the Cecil Hotel's notorious past and the intricate details surrounding Elisa Lam's death. Some viewers felt the series could have been more focused, but overall, it was considered a compelling watch for true-crime enthusiasts.

Awards & Accolades

None notable.

Fun Fact

The Cecil Hotel, featured prominently in the series, has a long and infamous history, having been the residence of serial killers Richard Ramirez and Jack Unterweger, and the site of numerous other deaths and suicides, earning it a reputation as one of LA's most haunted buildings.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review