The Jinx is a well-researched and excellently-produced crime documentary. It recreates the principal facts of the cases that Robert Durst was charged with and using interviews with a large array of individuals pertinent to those cases or associated with the principal personalities, gives a first-hand account from multiple perspectives. The show also includes footage from courtrooms and exhibits abundant case-related evidence.
While very entertaining, The Jinx does take some important liberties in its depiction. For instance, it was revealed that the concluding scene of the series was doctored by the director and producers to provide a more shocking finale. This artistic license is especially inappropriate when it comes to documentaries related to real-life ongoing criminal cases (as in this case) since it can influence perception to a large extent. By choosing whom to interview, what parts of those interviews to present and what tone to set in those snippets, it is uncertain if we as the audience get the real picture or are instead given an artificial version to shock, thrill and entertain. Hence, it may be unwise to treat the show's portrayal of events and characters as gospel truth.
Much has happened to Robert Durst since the time this documentary was made: he was convicted in 2021 of Susan Berman's murder and is facing new murder charges related to the alleged death of his missing wife Kathleen McCormack. But even if the documentary becomes outdated in those regards, it makes for an interesting watch to learn about the cases, the involved individuals, the procedural steps (both good and bad), and the power of the media in criminal law enforcement.
While very entertaining, The Jinx does take some important liberties in its depiction. For instance, it was revealed that the concluding scene of the series was doctored by the director and producers to provide a more shocking finale. This artistic license is especially inappropriate when it comes to documentaries related to real-life ongoing criminal cases (as in this case) since it can influence perception to a large extent. By choosing whom to interview, what parts of those interviews to present and what tone to set in those snippets, it is uncertain if we as the audience get the real picture or are instead given an artificial version to shock, thrill and entertain. Hence, it may be unwise to treat the show's portrayal of events and characters as gospel truth.
Much has happened to Robert Durst since the time this documentary was made: he was convicted in 2021 of Susan Berman's murder and is facing new murder charges related to the alleged death of his missing wife Kathleen McCormack. But even if the documentary becomes outdated in those regards, it makes for an interesting watch to learn about the cases, the involved individuals, the procedural steps (both good and bad), and the power of the media in criminal law enforcement.