Netflix's new documentary American Murder: The Family Next Door is "the first film to give a voice to the victims" of the infamous Watts family murders. Here's what happened: Shanann Watts and her two daughters Bella and Cece went missing in Colorado, USA, in 2018. Shannan's friend Nicole Atkinson reports their disappearance to the police, Shannan's husband Chris Watts looks for them, and the mystery unfolds.
MORE MYSTERIES:
- 'Unsolved Mysteries' Is Bound To Be Your Newest Netflix Obsession
- 10 Murder Mystery Shows To Watch If You Can't Get Enough Of *Fictional* Crime
The film is told through social media posts, police footage, text messages, and home videos, instead of interviews typical to documentaries of this kind. It's like being present with their family and friends—it's THAT immersive. Bit by bit, the person behind their disappearance is revealed.
*Spoilers Ahead*
The documentary was especially horrifying to those who were not familiar with the case, with Chris confessing to the murder of his pregnant wife and their two daughters. Since its September 30 release, the heartbreaking film climbed to Netflix Philippines' most-watched movies and series and people haven't been able to stop talking about it since.
The documentary was also trending on Twitter over the weekend. "Just finished American Murder: The Family Next Door and I'm disgusted at how much comfort Chris Watts received from both investigators and his dad while confessing to his heinous crimes," one viewer shared. Another said: "I just watched the Chris Watts doc and I felt my soul leave my body when he said he threw his alive toddlers into an oil tank as they said 'daddy no.' There are human beings on this planet like that and it's f*cking terrifying."
MORE MYSTERIES:
- 'Unsolved Mysteries' Is Bound To Be Your Newest Netflix Obsession
- 10 Murder Mystery Shows To Watch If You Can't Get Enough Of *Fictional* Crime
The documentary has also reminded viewers of a similar case, the Dupont de Ligonnès murders, from the series Unsolved Mysteries.
***
We're officially on Viber! Be part of our growing community and subscribe to Cosmopolitan Philippines now!