Der Fall Jens Söring - Tödliche Leidenschaft

Usually when Netflix presents a true-crime documentary, there is always some sort of controversial angle to discuss. In this one, in my opinion, there is nothing controversial to discuss. Both of the people who were accused of the crime most likely had something to do with the crime. Only one of them was convicted of murder, served a prison sentence that was equally lengthy. You might argue that neither one of them deserved to be released on parole, but that is another question altogether. I don't believe that Jens had nothing to do with the murder, and I also don't believe that Elizabeth was not present during the murder. The alibi that they both constructed was pretty weak considering it relied on movie tickets that can be fixed, especially back then. And if they were innocent, why did they both run away together, causing an international manhunt?

Netflix has done a solid job churning out this relatively-compelling documentary mini-series.

It centers around a brutal double homicide and the two individuals believed to have been involved in it. But questions about each individual's role in the crime loom, and each opens itself up to meaningful rabbit holes worthy of true crime exploration.

But don't expect this mini-series to get to the bottom of any questions or even explore any rabbit hole in much depth. Expect, rather, sneak peaks of many rabbit holes. It's sort of like the Ikea Showroom of intellectually-compelling true crime - entertaining enough but lacking punch.

I especially surprised that, even near the end of the series, some basic elements of the crime (logistics, brutality, etc.) were not discussed, though they both could have made meaningful and highly-relevant talking points. My inner philosophy student was also somewhat surprised that they failed to mention the prisoner's dilemma.

It almost seems like the series was put together kind of shabbily - if not carelessly. Another sign of this is that Jens Soering's interviews are all in German, despite him speaking perfect English. This was probably because they used the footage from the previously-made German documentary "Killing For Love" (I haven't verified this but strongly suspect it). I don't take issue with the German itself, but it's just another reason to suspect that Netflix is - perhaps fittingly - not telling us the whole story here....

Thankfully, the basics of the story are very intriguing, and the whole story isn't necessary if one's goal is simply to produce "binge-worthy" true crime content. The real life mystery, therefore, provides all the intellectual weight. And coupled with the solid aesthetic production of any Netflix content, that makes for entertaining viewing. It sure could have been better, but that doesn't make it bad.

Back in April 1985, The Police are alerted to the home of Derek and Nancy Haysom, who have both been brutally murdered. Police are keen to talk to their daughter Elizabeth, and boyfriend Jens Söring, but the pair have fled the country.

It's a fascinating, bizarre story, which for me, after watching this, is still unresolved. I was as muddled by the end, as I was at the start.

What on Earth really happened, there's so much information, but it's so hard to put the pieces together, it seems that people are firmly in his or her camp, could it not just simply have been a case of both of them did it, and aimed to make it all so messy and complex?

You are only hearing one side, as only Jens Söring speaks, you don't hear from from Elizabeth outside of the trials and Police interviews.

I'm going to say it again, did it need to be four episodes long, the first episode could easily have been edited down, as could the fourth.

7/10.

Of course, the Romeo and Juliet of the 1980s wouldn't end up like Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet - they would become Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. This is an intriguing and well-made 4-part true-crime documentary about two bookish, uppity Echols scholars who together planned and committed the murder of the girl's parents back in 1985. But who did what? And were they both to blame, or did one manipulate the other?

Unlike what many commenters on here seem to think, the series is actually made by a German crew, not an American one. Which arguably is one of the reasons why Jens speaks German in his new interviews. Another reason is obviously that he now lives in Germany and maybe is no longer that fond of the United States, which he claims are guilty of miscarriage of justice against him.

After watching the series, I don't really have any strong opinions as to who of the two did what, or who is more believeable. And that tells me the producers did a fairly good job in balancing their narrative. The series is not an apologia for Mr. Söring, even if the story he tells himself obviously is just that.

In summary, this is a story of star-crossed love, youthful arrogance/stupidity, and in all probability at least a certain amount of antisocial personality disorder(s).

Electric, gripping documentary. You won't regret watching this. Very creepy murder mystery, keeps you guessing all the way through - and indeed at the end. Told in four bingeable episodes.

How did the parents of a brainy, middle class student come to be butchered to death in their home? Was it their daughter or her mercurial German boyfriend? Can we believe either of their stories or are they each trying to cover their own tracks?

It's very well done with dramatic footage from the murder trials and a range of interviews - including Jen Soering himself. Full of colourful footage from the 80s and 90s too.