American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson

Netflix's American Manhunt: The O. J. Simpson Case attempts to revisit one of the most infamous criminal cases in American history. While it does a solid job of laying out the details of the case, presents interesting insights, archival footage, and expert commentary, there is one major issue that makes it almost unbearable to watch: Carl Douglas.

Douglas's delivery is so over-the-top and obnoxious that it completely pulls you out of the experience. He could have simply told his story like a normal person, but instead, he chooses to dramatize everything, making his segments exhausting and difficult to sit through. Every time he appeared on screen, it felt like he was performing in a one-man show rather than contributing meaningful insight. His presence alone makes the series frustrating at times.

That being said, if you can tolerate Douglas's relentless theatrics and some slow moments, American Manhunt is still a good docuseries.

It's a story we've all heard a million times by now, so it's nothing particularly groundbreaking. It was interesting to hear from some of the witnesses who never testified. As bad as human memory and eyewitness testimony is, it's still considered good evidence, and may have actually done something impactful in this case. The one thing this documentary did manage to do that I was impressed with was to find the only person in America who seems to still honestly believe OJ was innocent. I get that he has a business and he can't go around saying his former clients were guilty, but come on man. Of course OJ did it.

This case is like a monster that just won't die. Even after Simpson's death in 2024, we have another production, in documentary form, of the events that took place back in 1994-95.

This documentary stands out, though. We get to hear from the actual people who were directly involved with the entire event. Most of the key players who are still alive today are interviewed and their candor is compelling.

Anyone who's familiar with this case (which I imagine is everyone over the age of 40). For those born in the 90's, check out this documentary and you'll get perspective straight from most of the key players who were involved.

I've watched just about everything ever produced about the OJ Simpson murder trial but this one put the final touches on everything. I recommend it because it's well produced, and raw. No narration, just the voices of those who lived it. And I actually got some new information that I was unaware of. I found myself shaking my head often. It was good enough for me to binge watch the entire series in one sitting. If you have any interest in this subject, watch it. It's a great study of an American tragedy, and a fall from grace.

I remember the verdict and I can honestly say I wasn't surprised at the time. The defense team successfully turned this into a case about race and a referendum on the LA police department. The prosecution had all the evidence necessary, but were totally outclassed. Their bungling, and those of the detectives, made for an easy acquittal.

This documentary puts all of this on display, complete with interviews from many key players. I highly recommend it to those to young to remember as well as those who saw it happening.

In the end, the presentation reminds us of what really happened. All the impressive legal wranglings, race divisions, drama, and emotions aside - OJ killed Ron and Nicole.

Everyone knows the truth - even Carl Douglas.

I enjoyed this documentary, but I enjoy almost all the information I can get on this case. There were some new interviews I have not seen before and some new things presented that I had not previously been aware of.

However, Carl Douglas made this almost impossible to enjoy. We all know that the "Dream Team" did their job well and neither victim or their families received justice. But hearing him talk as if he was reveling in their success all these years later almost made me turn this documentary off because he was clearly patting himself on the back.

Worth the watch but no real new information.