"Death by Numbers" sets out to be a short documentary with a sensitive, artistic take on a tragedy, but it stumbles over its own ambition. In just over 30 minutes, the film tries to balance poetry, trauma, and justice, but ends up weakening its own message by getting lost in inconsistent narrative choices and an emotionally scattered approach.
The first major issue lies in its attempt to erase the figure of the killer. The initial decision not to show his face seems like a smart one, but the execution of this idea doesn't hold up. At a certain point, the narrative clearly abandons this approach, making it easy for the audience to connect the dots about who he is and what he did. The result is a paradox: by trying to depersonalize the criminal, the documentary only fuels the viewer's curiosity, ultimately making it even easier to identify him.
Director Kim A. Snyder also aims to bring a lyrical tone to the story, but the poetry here clashes with the harsh reality of the events. The inclusion of verses and contemplative imagery-meant to add emotional depth-feels misplaced and hollow. The film wants to be art, but it ends up feeling like an attempt to aestheticize the suffering of its victims. On top of that, the impact of certain moments, like the final testimony, is diluted by the documentary's own structure. What could have been a powerful climax just becomes another segment of the narrative, lacking the transformative force that a subject like this demands.
Another questionable aspect is the way the film approaches the concept of justice. Unlike other documentaries that explore the complexities of capital punishment, "Death by Numbers" takes a more direct and almost propagandistic stance, making it clear that its protagonists see the execution of the killer as the only form of reparation. The issue isn't that this perspective exists, but rather the lack of a real counterpoint. The film presents a moral dilemma only on the surface, without digging into the deeper, more complex layers of the subject. For a documentary that wants to spark reflection, it seems more interested in reaffirming a position than truly exploring the emotional and political weight of its story.
Overall, "Death by Numbers" could have been a powerful study on trauma, memory, and justice, but its lack of narrative consistency and its attempt to turn pain into art end up undermining its potential. It's a film that wants to say a lot but never quite finds the best way to do so.
