Warning: This post contains spoilers about Netflix’sAmerican Murder: The Family Next Door.
People might be disappointed that I havent solved the case.
American Murder: The Family Next Doorisnow streaming on Netflix.
Credit: Shanann Watts/Netflix/2020
I couldnt believe how much was captured on camera.
There was body cam of every moment, every phone call, every questioning, its all captured.
I thought, why do I need to ask somebody to tell me what happened when I canseewhat happened?
We had pre-production to organize and curate the extensive material.
We transferred it onto a drive, and her mom just said, like tell the truth.
How do you give a voice to someone whos not there?
I did a lot of research on her before starting.
I didnt want to make a version of her that I decided she was.
She had so many layers.
She had many trials and tribulations in her life.
She was a real go-getter, almost an over-achiever.
Shed set a goal and verify she was achieving it and was very passionate about friends and family.
Shes self-deprecating about herself.
Its so true of female victims of violent crime, where theyre shamed and blamed.
Im not going to let that happen to her.
Thats out there, in YouTube groups…. Its a method of self-protection.
They want to think How can I double-check this never happens to me?
So they start to look for signs, like, If Im not nagging, Ill be ok. One of them says, I dont victim blame, I victim analyze.
Its not his story.
Hes done an inexplicably atrocious crime, and this is Shananns story.
Its whatsheknew, what was going on withherinherlife before that.
We only see him through Shananns eyes, and thats where he can stay.
I have no interest in interviewing him in prison.
Theres no point asking him, because I dont think he knows [why he did this].
People might be disappointed that I havent solved the case.
I havent figured out why he did this, but its not that pop in of true-crime documentary.
It was a presentation on public speaking he did at work, and he chose that topic.
Its quite a basic speech.
He hasnt got any depth.
Its almost like an 11-year-old schoolboys view on relationships…. Hes not emotionally mature on any level.
This is a man who had to Google How do I know Im in love?
All she can do is fix herself, but she cant drag him to the same position.
She needs him to meet her part way to fix it.
Was there any footage that didnt make the final cut that you wanted to include?
In Shananns wedding video, theres a Mr. and Mrs. game they play.
The DJ asks them about their relationship.
It was, for a very long time, in the film, but it didnt make the final.
The DJ asked questions while they sat back-to-back.
He said, Who kissed who first?
and they both put up their board, and it was Chris.
He asked, Who said I love you first?
Thats how I want her to be remembered, as someone who tried her best.
What new layers does this film add to the case or Shanann as a person that werent there before?
How has her family reacted to the film?
Hes a dishonest source.
The only person we really should be listening to is the person who had no reason to lie.
I cant make that go away.
The film cant make that go away.
But it shines light on the fact that she doesntdeservethat.
