American Murder: The Family Next Door Review

I’m diving into a familiar true crime story—the tragic 2018 murders of the Watts family in Frederick, Colorado. The disappearance of a man’s wife and two daughters had my mind racing. While I had some fragments of the tale, the Netflix documentary “American Murder: The Family Next Door” filled in the gaps. The film artfully weaves together archival footage, text messages, and home videos.

The story kicks off with a found-footage-style mystery. We catch a glimpse of Chris and Shanann Watts’ life with their two daughters—a seemingly happy family unit. Ring camera footage and a seemingly innocuous video post add to the intrigue. Meanwhile, text messages from Nicole, a friend of Shanann, grow increasingly concerning as they go unanswered.

Nicole eventually calls for a wellness check on her friend, who fell ill during a business trip. We’re treated to body cam footage from that visit. Next, Nicole reaches out to Shanann’s mother, only to learn that Chris claimed Shanann was at a friend’s house. Cue the side-eye! Soon enough, Chris arrives and allows the officer to inspect the house, ensuring nothing is awry. Nicole spots Shanann’s phone on the counter, and then we glimpse text messages from Chris.

The scene shifts to a video of Shanann sharing her pre-Chris life, including tales of divorce. The documentary humanizes her, revealing more than just a story. Unfortunately, the body cam footage doesn’t shed light on any potential mishaps. Interestingly, Chris seems just as concerned as Nicole.

And then, a bombshell drops: Shanann is pregnant. The documentary deftly shifts between body cam footage and home videos. What’s striking is how Chris behaves—chatty, helpful, and oddly nonchalant. On the flip side, Shanann’s friend is visibly distraught, showing more emotion than her husband.

As the police delve deeper, they meticulously inspect the house and find it immaculate. Chris eventually gets taken to the police station for an interview. Now, whispers emerge that perhaps their seemingly happy life wasn’t all it appeared to be. If you’re new to this story and watching the documentary, it becomes evident that something isn’t quite right with the husband. His lack of concern raises eyebrows. He definitely did something.

As the conversation with Chris unfolds, he attempts to mislead officers by suggesting that someone they knew might be responsible for the disappearance. My inner voice screams, “No kidding! It’s you!” The police, undeterred, continue their diligent work, gathering information from everyone in the Watts’ circle. Chris’s boss reveals that on the day Shanann went missing, Chris was at one of their oil plants.

Before long, it becomes painfully clear that Chris Watts killed his family. He disposed of his daughters’ bodies—Bella and Celeste—in an oil tank, while his wife was buried nearby. The motive remains murky. Interviews with friends, family, and his side chick raise questions. Was this a fresh start with the mistress? That part remains uncertain, but what’s evident is Chris’s gradual detachment from Shanann. She even confided in a friend via text, revealing that they hadn’t been intimate for five weeks.

The sheer audacity of this man doing an interview with a TV reporter, pleading for his wife to come back home, is mind-boggling. The very next day, he was arrested, facing a staggering nine criminal counts, including murder, unlawful termination of a pregnancy, and tampering with dead bodies. The verdict? Not one, not two, but five life sentences.

But wait, there’s more! In a prison interview, Chris confessed to strangling his wife after a heated argument. She had wanted to end their marriage. The gut-wrenching revelation? His daughters were still alive when he loaded his wife’s body into his truck. He smothered Celeste first, dropping her into an oil tank. Then, his other daughter, Bella, asked, “Is the same thing gonna happen to me as Cece?” That part was not stated in the documentary but you can find the interview online. 

That little nugget of information reveals just how deeply disturbed this man was. What struck me about this documentary was its departure from the typical true crime format. Instead of re-enactments, theories, and endless interviews with law enforcement, it opted for raw authenticity. Actual family footage, text messages, and the investigation were woven together to tell the chilling story. It felt more personal and hauntingly real.

I give this documentary 5 out of 5 acorns.