What happens when a marriage turns into murder… and the courtroom becomes a circus? Oh boy, Netflix’s A Deadly American Marriage is a spine-chilling dive into the brutal 2015 killing of Irish businessman Jason Corbett – allegedly at the hands of his American wife Molly Martens and her ex-FBI daddy, Thomas Martens.
Based on a true case that rocked two continents, this docuseries doesn’t just retell a crime; it rips your soul out, chews it, and asks, “Still rooting for love?” If you like your documentaries so confusing they fry your neurons, buckle up. Because this one doesn’t just give you one side – it throws both at you and lets the chaos unfold.
What’s Good?
1. Total Mental Gymnastics – Confusion at its finest!
Every ten minutes, you switch sides. Was Jason abusive or just misunderstood? Was Molly a victim or a manipulator with a game plan? The series doesn’t hand you answers – it dares you to piece the puzzle with scattered, blood-stained fragments. The ambiguity? Deliciously maddening.
2. The Kids – Pure heartbreak in every frame.
Watching the children caught in this family firestorm is devastating. Their melancholy and confusion make the stakes real. This isn’t just about legal jargon or media headlines, it’s about broken childhoods.
3. Real Footage, Real Chills
From 911 calls to crime scene photos and actual interrogation room tapes…this one’s as real as it gets. Chilling! The raw emotion in those interviews? Boom. It hits.
4. Narrative Structure – Built like a whodunnit thriller
Despite being a documentary, it’s edited like a suspense film. The pacing keeps you guessing. Just when you think you’ve cracked it, boom! Another jaw-dropper.
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What’s Not So Good?
1. Stereotypical Presentation of Victims & Villains
There’s a noticeable lean in the storytelling. Though it pretends to be neutral, the editing seems to favour Jason’s side, with Molly often framed as the cold-hearted schemer. Fair? Maybe. Balanced? Hmm.
2. Missing Subtitles in Key Scenes – Wait, what did he say?!
Interrogation room audios echo like they were recorded in a fish tank. No subtitles. You’ll find yourself rewinding and still missing half the drama. Netflix, what’s this… do better!
3. Overexposure to Graphic Crime Details
Not for the faint-hearted. Some crime scene imagery felt excessive – almost voyeuristic. While true crime lovers may expect this, casual viewers might squirm.
4. Cultural Bias? Oof.
Some international viewers felt the justice system came across as shockingly flawed and one-sided. Leaning towards one side with having a pre-decided judgement. And honestly? Hard to disagree.
Worth Watching?
Absolutely, if your brain enjoys being yanked from empathy to suspicion in under 60 seconds. This isn’t just a murder mystery; it’s a psychological maze. It doesn’t feed you answers, it makes you hunt them, cry for the kids, curse the justice system, and question everything.
A Deadly American Marriage isn’t about who’s innocent. It’s about how truth can be murdered in broad daylight while justice fumbles with the weapon. If you like your documentaries messy, maddening, and mentally marinating your mind for days, this is it! Watching it feels like falling into a foggy maze with a flashlight that flickers every five minutes. Terrifying, confusing, and Yes…so, so worth it.
Rating: 4/5 ⭐
Trigger Warnings: Domestic Violence, Graphic Content, Child Distress
Written By MANSI SINGH