American Murder: The Family Next Door

About American Murder: The Family Next Door

Explore:

• About
• Making / Production
• Actors
• Trivia / Interesting Facts
• Awards
• Quotes
• Music, Soundtrack

About

American Murder: The Family Next Door is a True Crime Documentary released in 2020. The documentary explores the tragic and shocking murder of Shanann Watts and her two young daughters, Bella and Celeste. The film uses authentic home videos, law enforcement footage, text messages, and social media posts to paint a comprehensive picture of the events leading up to the crime, as well as its aftermath. The documentary delves into the seemingly perfect life of the Watts family and their suburban community in Frederick, Colorado. Through interviews with friends, family, and law enforcement officials, the film uncovers the underlying tensions and hidden dynamics within the family. The plot of American Murder: The Family Next Door takes a chilling turn when Shanann and her daughters go missing, and the investigation begins. The documentary showcases the mounting evidence against Shanann's husband, Chris Watts, who eventually confesses to the murders. It explores the motives and psychology behind the crime, leaving viewers questioning what could drive a seemingly ordinary family man to commit such a heinous act.

Making / Production

American Murder: The Family Next Door was directed by Jenny Popplewell. The documentary was primarily constructed using archival footage and interviews with people involved in the case, including friends, family members, and law enforcement officials. The filmmakers were granted access to home videos, social media posts, and text messages, which contributed to the documentary's authenticity and emotional impact. The film was released on Netflix on September 30, 2020, and quickly gained attention and critical acclaim for its gripping storytelling and powerful use of real-life footage.

Actors

• Shanann Watts - portrayed by herself through archive footage
• Chris Watts - portrayed by himself through archive footage
• Bella Watts - portrayed by herself through archive footage
• Celeste Watts - portrayed by herself through archive footage

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• American Murder: The Family Next Door is one of the few true crime documentaries that extensively uses social media posts and messages as primary source material.
• The documentary offers a unique perspective as it incorporates footage from body-worn cameras used by law enforcement officers during the investigation.
• The film received praise for its honest portrayal of the complexities of marriage and family, shedding light on the darker aspects of seemingly perfect relationships.

Awards

No notable awards have been recorded for American Murder: The Family Next Door at this time.

Quotes

• "I just want them back, I just want them to come back." - Shanann Watts
• "I made the biggest mistake of my life." - Chris Watts

Music, Soundtrack

• The documentary features a haunting and atmospheric score composed by Nainita Desai.
• Additional music tracks were selected to enhance the emotional impact of the story, including "Time" by Hans Zimmer and "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen.