Cold Case: les meurtres au Tylenol

Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders is, without exaggeration, one of the most captivating and well-produced true crime documentaries I've seen in a long time. From the very first scene, it grabs you with a sense of dread and intrigue, and it doesn't let go. The story, already infamous in true crime circles, is presented with such nuance, care, and compelling structure that even if you think you know the case, you'll be surprised at how much you didn't know - and how much the mystery still lingers.

What sets this docuseries apart is its atmosphere. The direction leans into cinematic storytelling, with eerie visuals, chilling audio design, and a level of production quality that rivals high-end scripted thrillers. The tone is somber without being sensationalistic, which I really appreciated. This is a story about real people, real loss, and real consequences - and the filmmakers never forget that.

The pacing is excellent, slowly peeling back layers of the case while maintaining steady momentum. You're not just bombarded with dates and names; instead, you're drawn into the timeline and psychology of the case through thoughtful interviews and carefully curated archival footage. The series strikes a rare balance between investigative detail and emotional depth.

The interviews are among the strongest aspects of the series. Survivors, journalists, law enforcement, and even people loosely connected to the case all offer a wide range of perspectives. There's a deep respect in how these people are portrayed, and the documentary doesn't push a single narrative. Instead, it presents the information and lets the viewer draw conclusions, which to me is the mark of truly intelligent storytelling.

Also worth noting is how the series explores the broader implications of the case - not just the horror of the poisonings, but how it changed consumer safety, packaging regulations, and even the psychology of public trust. It situates the murders in a wider cultural context that makes the story feel even more relevant today, decades later.

Another strength is how the filmmakers deal with the unresolved nature of the case. There's no neat conclusion, no tidy ending - and yet, it never feels unsatisfying. On the contrary, it leans into that ambiguity in a way that's haunting and powerful. You leave the series feeling unsettled, not just because of what happened, but because of how little closure there really is - for the families, for the investigators, and for society at large.

This isn't just a recounting of a crime; it's an exploration of the ripple effects of fear, trauma, and unsolved justice. It respects your intelligence as a viewer, doesn't spoon-feed you theories, and trusts you to engage deeply with the material. For me, that's what elevates a documentary from good to unforgettable.

Michelle Rosen, daughter of one of the victims, suspects Johnson & Johnson of accidentally lacing Tylenol with cyanide. J&J lying about possessing cyanide, keeping it within close proximity of production of Tylenol suggests that this is possible. J&J itself seems to aware of this by testing a portion of and subsequently destroying the product.

But if this were an issue why didn't pop up before then? The argument that accidental cyanide poisoning was somehow missed isn't real convincing. People would have noticed other people dropping dead after taking Tylenol. More than just old people take Tylenol.

There is no evidence that Tylenol was tainted in that factories where it was produced.

Meanwhile we have James Lewis, a man accused of murder and rape and who served time for extortion. For reasons not explained the murder case against him is dropped. All we know is that he fled Chicago just after Raymond West's death.

There is no evidence that Lewis laced Tylenol bottles with cyanide. There is no evidence that he even possessed cyanide.

The testing of medication and subsequent destruction of 22 million pills, while responsible behavior, does also hint at concerns about possible contamination. The last death occurring 4 years later further strengthens this suspicion.

On one hand we have a corporation, institutions well known for covering up blunders. But on the other we have what appears to be a psychopathic criminal. Both parties seem adept at covering their tracks based on their respective histories.

Chicago medics are shocked when several healthy people die unexpectedly. The only link is that they'd all taken Tylenol. Investigations uncover a shocking truth: the Tylenol capsules had been laced with cyanide. Early indications are that James Lewis is the man, especially since he sent an extortion letter to Johnson & Johnson.

It's a very well-made documentary that isn't afraid to throw in a few controversial talking points, including the potential involvement of pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson.

It's chilling to think that nobody was ever caught for it, someone or some organisation quite literally got away with murder, unfortunately I don't think we'll ever learn what happened.

There are some fascinating interviews, especially the words of potential killer James Lewis. I thought Michelle Rosen was absolutely fantastic: courageous, honest, and not afraid to call out corruption where it exists.

As for James Lewis, while listening to him speak, I just don't think he has the mental clout to carry it out, especially given the deaths that occurred once Johnson & Johnson had added all of those safety precautions to their Tylenol products.

7/10.

I never cease to be amazed that there isn't a set of obvious guidelines and ground rules that documentary makers follow. One of those would be to keep the audience apprised of the timeline.

This documentary flips back and forth, mostly seemingly between 1982 and 1986, when two events occurred. Of course there was coverage after that and some from the present day. At times it was unclear what the timing was for a particular scene. This makes the story harder to follow for viewers. You can do better.

Apart from that, it was an interesting subject that I recall from my youth. I did not recall the resolution of it, such as it is, so it was interesting to get a more complete story although we still don't have the full story do we?

ABOUT MY REVIEWS:

I do not include a synopsis of the film/show -- you can get that anywhere and that does not constitute a meaningful review -- but rather my thoughts and feelings on the film that hopefully will be informative to you in deciding whether to invest 90-180 minutes of your life on it.

My scale: 1-5 decreasing degrees of "terrible", with 5 being "mediocre" 6- OK. Generally held my interest OR had reasonable cast and/or cinematography, might watch it again 7 - Good. My default rating for a movie I liked enough to watch again, but didn't rise to the upper echelons 8- Very good. Would watch again and recommend to others 9- Outstanding. Would watch over and over; top 10% of my ratings 10 - A classic. (Less than 2% receive this rating). For Lifetime Movies for Chicks (LMFC), drop the above scale by 3 notches. A 6 is excellent and 7 almost unattainable.

If you're into conspiracy theories and prefer mystery over truth, this one's for you.

But if you're more grounded in reality, you'll likely find this series built around sensationalism rather than substance. Despite revisiting one of America's most infamous unsolved cases, the show offers no real conclusion.

Honestly, I wish production companies like Netflix would include a clear disclosure when a documentary lacks a widely accepted conclusion. Otherwise, you might spend three hours watching just to realize you've learned nothing definitive. It's frustrating when a show builds so much tension without providing any real payoff or meaningful insight.