“American Murder: The Family Next Door”

You’ve probably heard of it — the seemingly “perfect” family next door. The Colorado dad, with a bright smile, a pregnant wife, two adorable little girls, and a pristine home in the suburbs, had everything under control. Everything fell apart in the most horrific way imaginable.

In November 2018, Christopher Watts admitted to murdering his wife, Shanann (who was 15 weeks pregnant) and their two daughters, Bella and Celeste. He then hid their bodies at an oil field owned by his company. It’s the kind of gut-wrenching true crime story that immediately sparked media madness. You know the drill — Dr Phil, Extra, even a sensationalised Lifetime movie. But nothing quite lands like Netflix’s American Murder: The Family Next Door.

🎥 Watch the official trailer here.

Unlike your typical “talking heads and scary music” documentary, British director Jenny Popplewell does something entirely different. She pieces together the whole story only using real footage — no actors, no narration, no over-the-top re-enactments. Think body cam clips, text messages, social media videos, and police interviews. It’s raw. It’s intimate. It’s chilling.

It also makes you rethink what you really know about the people who post perfect family photos online.

More than murder: It’s a social media mirror

What makes American Murder so gripping isn’t just the crime — it’s the emotional disconnect. Shanann’s constant Facebook updates painted a picture of love, success, and togetherness. However, behind closed doors, their marriage was crumbling. Their marriage was crumbling. And through every message and video, you feel that it’s slowly unravelling.

It’s not just another true crime documentary — it’s a subtle, powerful commentary on domestic violence and the often-deceitful nature of social media perfection. It also serves as a reminder that some of the most egregious stories can be easily overlooked, only a few scrolls away.

If you’re a sucker for gripping real-life stories, you might also enjoy:

• My breakdown of The Tinder Swindler
• The haunting truth behind Abducted in Plain Sight
• Why we can’t stop watching cult documentaries

Final thoughts

I’ll be honest — watching American Murder left me feeling heavy. It’s not easy viewing. But it’s important. Popplewell doesn’t exploit the story for drama. Instead, she makes you feel the tension— the silence, the shock of it all. And she reminds us that not all monsters hide in the shadows — sometimes they mow the lawn and smile at the neighbours.

So, should you watch it? If you’re ready for something deeper than your average whodunnit, then absolutely watch it.

It’s now streaming on Netflix. Just maybe don’t watch it alone.