The Quadfecta of Documentaries: What’s at Stake in the Idaho Student Murder Case?

The latest entry into the crowded field of documentaries about the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students is Netflix’s The Idaho Murders: College Nightmare. This new series joins Peacock’s The Idaho Student Murders and Amazon Prime Video’s One Night in Idaho: The College Murders, each vying to be the definitive account of this heinous crime.

At its core, the Idaho student murders are a tragic reminder of the fragility of life and the ease with which violence can erupt on college campuses. On November 13, 2022, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin were brutally slain, sending shockwaves through the University of Idaho community and beyond. Investigators worked tirelessly to piece together the evidence, ultimately identifying Bryan Kohberger as the perpetrator.

The proliferation of documentaries about this case is a symptom of our collective fascination with true crime stories. Documentarians Joe Berlinger and Skye Borgman have tackled high-profile cases before, including the JonBenét Ramsey murder in Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey and catfishing in Unknown Number: The High School Catfish. By claiming that their documentary is the “definitive” account of events, Netflix and Berlinger are placing a significant burden on themselves to provide new insights into this case.

The stakes are higher than just which documentary provides the most comprehensive coverage of the facts. This case has broader implications that warrant sustained attention from documentarians and audiences alike. It raises questions about the role of documentary filmmaking in our understanding of traumatic events and whether it can lead to a form of commodification, where tragedy is leveraged for ratings and clicks.

The Commodification of Tragedy

When we reduce complex human experiences to 90-minute installments or 10-episode seasons, do we risk trivializing the suffering of those affected? By presenting sanitized versions of traumatic events, documentaries may inadvertently contribute to a culture that prioritizes spectacle over sensitivity. This is particularly concerning when it comes to high-profile crimes like the Idaho student murders.

The Quest for Unprecedented Access

Berlinger’s claim that The Idaho Murders: College Nightmare offers “unprecedented access” to key family members, police footage, and forensic evidence raises questions about the nature of this access. Is it truly unprecedented, or are these concessions merely a means of justifying the documentary’s existence? Moreover, what does it mean for documentarians to claim exclusive access to sensitive information when much of this material has already been made public?

A Focus on the Victims

Skye Borgman felt a personal responsibility to keep the victims at the center of every decision. This approach is essential in documentary filmmaking, particularly when dealing with traumatic events. Documentarians have a duty to remember that behind each crime lies a complex web of human experiences and relationships.

The Aftermath

In the wake of high-profile crimes like the Idaho student murders, there is often a flurry of documentaries, books, and podcasts seeking to make sense of the events. As we continue to grapple with this case, it’s essential to consider what these documents tell us about ourselves and our society. By examining the impact of documentary filmmaking on our understanding of traumatic events, we may uncover new insights into the human condition.

The quadfecta of documentaries about the Idaho student murders serves as a reminder that even in the pursuit of truth and justice, there is always room for nuance and reflection. As we engage with these stories, it’s crucial to maintain a critical perspective on the role of documentary filmmaking in shaping our understanding of the world around us. Ultimately, what we take away from these stories is not just a sense of closure but also a deeper appreciation for the fragility and beauty of life itself.