The Phantom

While the makers only manage to scrape the surface of this deeply unsettling murder case, it is definitely a story that needs to be told. In a state known to hand out a lot of death penalties (Texas i.e.) especially to its citizens of color, the case in question is undoubtedly the most outrageous one. The first half of the documentary marches ahead like it wants to paint a straightforward, somewhat lazy picture of Carlos De Luna as a vicious murderer, and then proceeds to turn that story on its head, ripping apart every detail piece-by-piece.

For what its worth, The Phantom is best enjoyed when you know as little about the case as possible. In fact, don't even read its one-line description. The second half dives into a much darker space, when a second character is linked to the incident. However, the holes are aplenty. Even the makers struggle to piece the whole thing together. It's done haphazardly at best, but the very fact that an innocent person may have been executed without question is extremely disturbing to digest.

I'm deeply disturbed of how innocents' lives are destroyed and taken. I cannot believe the incompetence of the police. Even though, they were given the name of the original killer who has been accused several times with the smilier accusation (similar weapon) , left evidence behind in every scene, they were blindfolded, they want this inccent man's life to be taken.....cannot believe it.

An interesting true crime story that was short but also kind of scary. The interviews were relevant but sometimes off topic. The video editing was poor and the first five minutes down right disorienting.

This is a poor attempt in telling a serious story. The first 45 minutes is redundancy after redundancy after redundancy. Really, do not waste your time. Read an article about the story. Please, save yourself 1h21m.

This is a case where the justice system failed because they wanted to close the case. 75% of the evidence was never put into the case and used, the actual man that committed the crime had been on the radar of a CCPD for yrs, but just didn't listen to him. Me being a Texan, it hit home as a case of one of the worst injustices we could have done.