The Carman Family Deaths

A well put together and interesting true crime story. I had never heard of this case before and so every new twist was shocking. Documenters did a good job of splicing archive footage, interviews, and news clips. The interviews were relevant and both sides were heard from equally. Definitely suspicious.

Police officers with their 'years of experience' and 'indicators' is just code for not understanding autism. If ever a documentary is a perfect display for why police is bad at their jobs. No actual detective work done, just hunches based on preconceived notions of how emotions should be displayed. Incompetence is overflowing.

This is why autistic people need protection, because a lot of neurotypicals are unwilling to accept differences.

An interesting documentary! I had never heard of the Carman case before, which is probably why it held my attention more than it did for others who found it slow. The runtime is just right, not overstretched, and it's easy to get through in one sitting. Definitely a good pick if you're unfamiliar with the case and want a straightforward true-crime deep dive.

Nathan Carman is rescued at sea after a fishing trip with his mother, Linda - who mysteriously vanishes. Years earlier, his wealthy grandfather, John Chakalos, was shot dead in his bed, with Nathan reportedly the last person to see him alive. Diagnosed autistic, Nathan's awkwardness and the suspicious circumstances combine to make a story as chilling as it is baffling.

An intriguing 90-minute documentary explores the two deaths and explains why Nathan was suspected of being involved in both. It details the family dynamic, but primarily focuses on Nathan. We learn that he was diagnosed with autism aged just four. Very early on, you can see that Nathan is neurodiverse; in interviews he is withdrawn and uncomfortable, and his quirks were seen as a sign of guilt.

It's a well-made documentary, skilfully assembled. The footage and interviews are plentiful, helping to tell the story and piece it together. The pictures of Nathan, I would suggest, tell their own story. Strong arguments are made on both sides: the defence emphasises that Nathan was funded by his grandfather and idolised by his mother, while the prosecution suggest he was motivated by inheriting a small fortune.

It's crazy to think that the investigation lasted six years; innocent or guilty, Nathan would have been in limbo for a very long time, not helped by his mental health.

It's well paced, even though it's ninety minutes long, it moves by nicely, and at no point will you find yourself losing concentration or getting bored. You're swayed from one side of the argument to the other throughout, I guarantee your opinion will move as you watch (if you don't know the outcome).

I must congratulate Netflix for dropping a documentary like this at this time of year - it proves if you sift through all of the Christmas films, you can find a hidden gem.

8/10.

The Carman Family Deaths is a 2025 Netflix documentary series that quickly climbed to the number-one spot, but I genuinely believe its popularity comes less from the quality of the storytelling and more from curiosity sparked by the title and thumbnail. The marketing is gripping, no doubt, and it draws you in with the promise of a shocking, layered true-crime investigation. Unfortunately, the series itself doesn't live up to that initial intrigue.

From the very beginning, the documentary struggles to maintain momentum. The pacing feels slow and oddly repetitive, making what should be a gripping mystery come across as bland. Every new direction ends up circling back to the same points, and rather than building tension or offering fresh clarity, the series feels like it's running in place. Even when major answers finally come forward, the filmmakers continue to drag out the same information, diluting the impact of the reveal.

Another issue is the constant fixation on the subject's autism. Instead of offering insight or nuance, the documentary repeatedly leans on it as a focal point long after the audience has grasped the relevance. This creates an uncomfortable dynamic where the series feels like it's hammering the same note over and over, not out of necessity, but out of a lack of additional substance to explore. It becomes exhausting and ultimately distracting from the actual crime and its implications.

To be clear, nothing excuses what was done. The actions at the center of this case are horrific-absolutely prison-worthy and arguably deserving of the maximum possible penalty. However, the documentary fails to balance the severity of the crime with thoughtful storytelling. Instead of delivering meaningful insight, it stretches limited content across multiple episodes, creating long stretches of dullness, confusion, and emotional flatness.

This is especially disappointing because 2025 has delivered several strong, compelling documentary series across streaming platforms. With so many well-crafted options available-projects that blend storytelling, structure, pacing, and emotional weight-it's hard to recommend this one. The shortcomings are simply too difficult to overlook, especially for viewers who expect more from the true-crime genre.

In the end, The Carman Family Deaths is a documentary that promises intensity and intrigue but delivers monotony. What could have been a tight, focused exploration ends up padded, repetitive, and ultimately disengaging. While the topic itself is tragic and disturbing, the execution leaves much to be desired, and I can't recommend this series to anyone looking for something gripping, insightful, or truly worthwhile to watch.