Sub-edited by Miranda Sheard
Embed from Getty ImagesA documentary that has stuck with me as of late is Blumhouse’s Worst Ex Ever series on
Netflix. It follows the victims’ retelling of the crimes and abuse committed by their ex-
partner. I chose this documentary because it felt very human; the interviewer asked few questions, which made it feel more raw. Additionally, it not only focuses on the victim’s point of view, but it also focuses on the beginning of their relationship. This demonstrates to an audience how hard it can be to spot abuse and escape the situation.
I have a hard time with some crime documentaries because it can feel like the sole
purpose is on the criminal, but the Worst Ex Ever series completely removes their perspective and simply relays the facts. I found this particularly prevalent in season 2, episode one: Dating the Deadpool Killer; even though this episode covers a high-profile case, it gives a fresh
perspective by highlighting specifically how the killer’s behaviour escalated to murdering two women. We also hear from three of Wade Wilson’s exes throughout the episode, and we see how he charmed victims and found people through platforms such as dating sites.
In this documentary series, you learn the facts from cases while still maintaining the victim’s emotional recount. It also tells a compelling story by building a clear picture of what happened through testimonies from police and lawyers involved in the case. The documentary is narrated
by the victim(s), witnesses, family members, police, and legal team. Interestingly, much of the
story is shown through animation which helps make the documentary more digestible,
but it never takes away from the severity of the case. The animation also assists in showing the reality of what the interviewee was experiencing at the time by visually displaying their emotional state. There is also archived footage and copies of photos and documents when they can be provided. This aids in building a fuller picture of the events that transpired, but also at times the injustices of police not stepping in or investigating thoroughly.
This documentary in particular demonstrated to me the importance of guiding the
interviewee through your questions rather than just asking. The interviewer was
excellent at listening and supporting the interviewee throughout the interview. I would
personally recommend this documentary to others, though I would alert them of the graphic
content of murder, domestic violence, and abuse ahead of time. In conclusion, I believe this series is a good example of reporting on a crime without exploiting the victims or sensationalising the events.