Stephanie Garcia

Professor VanNatta

Crim 256 01

October 26th, 2023

Media Analysis Paper

Summary of the movie American Murder: Family next door:

The movie that I chose was American Murder: The Family Next Door" it is a true crime

documentary on Netflix that explores the tragic and shocking story of the Watts family murders.

It delves into the disappearance and murder of Shanann Watts and her two young daughters,

Bella and Celeste, and the subsequent investigation that unfolded. The documentary primarily

uses raw footage, social media posts, and law enforcement recordings to provide an intimate and

chilling look into this devastating crime. It's a heartbreaking series that sheds light on the

difficulties of relationships and the tragic consequences that can happen because of these

relationships. This film was an example of how social media affects the way that we think about

a situation and how people interpret it.

Analysis Portion:

The movie left me with a lot to think about and many different emotions, it didn't focus

on giving or to teach a specific message, but it made me think about important questions about

the complexities of human relationships, the front that people may present to the world, and the

consequences of certain actions. It made me think about the depths of deception and the

disturbing nature of the crime. Overall, it left me feeling a mix of sadness, shock, and reflection

on how delicate life can be and the darkness that can exist. Some motifs include social media
posts, footage obtained, and law enforcement recordings that serve as symbols of the disturbing

reality behind the seemingly perfect family. The documentary also highlights the motif of

investigation and the pursuit of truth as a symbol of justice and closure. These themes and motifs

contribute to the overall narrative and impact of the film.

On the other hand, when it comes to camera angles, I noticed that different angles can

create different moods and perspectives in a scene. As for lighting and sound, they play an

important role in setting the tone and mood of a movie. In the movie criminals are seen as

complicated and unique people. Unique but not in a good way and complicated because of the

different reasons they had to commit a crime. Police are acknowledged in the movie because of

their endless efforts to locate Shannan Watts. The most important part of the film was the real

footage of the questioning and the moment we see Chris Watts Confess to the crime because it

shows that mental illness played a big role in the reason, he committed a crime. The film

explores the causes and effects of crime, bringing attention to societal factors, personal issues,

and the impact on victims, perpetrators, and bystanders. It presents a complicated perspective on

the issues surrounding crime and its effects. The criminal legal system is a big part of film