There are true crime documentaries that leave you shocked. Some leave you angry. Then there is A Deadly American Marriage, which leaves you just plain gutted.
Now streaming on Netflix, this documentary follows the heartbreaking real-life story of a woman trapped in a toxic and violent marriage. It explores the lies and manipulation that followed and the eventual unraveling of the truth. On paper, this should have been a gripping story with emotional depth and serious weight. While the content certainly carries power, the delivery does not quite live up to the potential.
The format is straightforward and relies on interviews from family members, friends, and law enforcement. The tone stays somber throughout, which is fitting given the subject matter. The pacing works fine, but once the final credits roll, the resolution feels hollow. The story ends, but it does not feel finished.
What sticks with you most is the impact on the children. Their lives were shattered by decisions they had no part in making, and the documentary does not shy away from that reality. It is upsetting in a quiet way. Not in the way that makes you want to scream, but in the way that leaves you staring at the screen afterward, feeling heavy.
Where this documentary struggles most is in its conclusion. Rather than offering clarity or closure, it leaves behind more questions than answers. This may have been intentional, but in this particular case, it makes the viewing experience feel incomplete. You want some form of justice (although there is some to an extent) or at least understanding, but neither really comes. Those you want to feel accountable are just still seemingly in denial.
If you are interested in stories that are raw and emotionally difficult, this one delivers. Just know that you will walk away with a knot in your stomach and no sense of relief. There is value in telling stories like this, but that does not make them easy to sit with.
OUR RATING
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