The Watts Family as seen in American Murder: The Family Next Door

The True Crime genre frequently focuses on horrific events from decades past. But Netflix’s latest documentary covers a very recent case: the Watts family murders.

American Murder: The Family Next Door tells the tragic story of Shanann Watts and her two daughters, who went missing in 2018. Shanann’s husband and the children’s father Christopher Watts plead guilty to murdering his family later that year.

Watch the trailer below for your first look at American Murder.

Netflix hopes to “give a voice to the victims” with a unique approach to constructing a true crime documentary.

Read the official synopsis below.

In 2018, 34-year-old Shanann Watts and her two young daughters went missing in Frederick, Colorado. As heartbreaking details emerged, their story made headlines worldwide. Told entirely through archival footage that includes social media posts, law enforcement recordings, text messages and never-before-seen home videos, director Jenny Popplewell pieces together an immersive and truthful examination of a police investigation and a disintegrating marriage. American Murder: The Family Next Door is the first film to give a voice to the victims.

True Crime always toes the dangerous line between entertainment and exploitation. With this case in particular being so recent, I hope Netflix has put a lot of care and consideration into this documentary. So, what do you think of this documentary on Netflix?

You can stream American Murder: The Family Next Door on Netflix starting September 30.

Until then, check back to That Hashtag Show for more updates on titles coming to Netflix.

Source: Netflix