Amanda Knox (2016) Documentary Review: Where to Watch Online
The 2016 Netflix documentary Amanda Knox revisits one of the most infamous legal cases of the 21st century—the murder of Meredith Kercher and the ensuing trials of American student Amanda Knox, her then-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, and Rudy Guede in Italy. Directed by Rod Blackhurst and Brian McGinn, this documentary presents a nuanced and gripping look at the case that captivated global media for nearly a decade. It aims to unravel the layers of truth, speculation, and sensationalism that surrounded the case, allowing viewers to form their own judgments about Knox’s guilt or innocence.
This review will explore the film’s key elements, the performances of its interviewees, and where you can stream or rent Amanda Knox online.
Plot Summary: A Murder Case That Gripped the World
In 2007, Meredith Kercher, a British exchange student living in Perugia, Italy, was found brutally murdered in the apartment she shared with Amanda Knox, an American student from Seattle. Almost immediately, the case attracted significant media attention due to the circumstances surrounding the murder and Knox’s behavior following Kercher’s death.
Knox, along with her then-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, was quickly arrested and accused of the crime. What followed was a years-long legal ordeal, with Knox and Sollecito initially convicted, then acquitted, then convicted again in a retrial before being definitively acquitted by Italy’s Supreme Court in 2015. Rudy Guede, an Ivory Coast native, was convicted of the murder based on DNA evidence but maintained that he did not act alone.
The documentary focuses on two main threads: the details of the murder investigation and the role of the media in shaping public perception of Knox. Through interviews with Knox herself, Sollecito, Italian prosecutor Giuliano Mignini, and journalists who covered the case, Amanda Knox explores how the legal proceedings were overshadowed by a sensationalist narrative that branded Knox as either an innocent victim of a corrupt system or a cold-blooded killer.
Amanda Knox and Her Story
At the center of the documentary is Amanda Knox, who shares her version of the events with candor. She reflects on her time in Italy, the horror of being accused of her roommate’s murder, and the traumatic experience of spending four years in an Italian prison before being acquitted. Knox’s calm and composed demeanor in the documentary contrasts sharply with the image of her that was portrayed in the media at the time of the trial.
Knox’s narrative is one of bewilderment and helplessness. She maintains her innocence throughout, speaking of her confusion at being caught in a legal system where she felt powerless. Her interview segments humanize her, offering a stark contrast to the way she was vilified by tabloids that dubbed her “Foxy Knoxy” and focused on her sex life and “bizarre” behavior during the investigation.
The film doesn’t shy away from difficult questions about Knox’s behavior in the immediate aftermath of the murder. It also highlights how her interactions with the media, her inconsistent statements to the police, and the Italian justice system’s handling of the investigation contributed to the public’s perception of her guilt.
Raffaele Sollecito and Other Key Figures
Raffaele Sollecito, Knox’s Italian boyfriend at the time, also provides significant insight into the case. Like Knox, Sollecito maintains his innocence and recounts his shock at being implicated in such a horrific crime. His interview reflects his frustration with the justice system and the ways in which the case derailed his life.
Italian prosecutor Giuliano Mignini is another crucial figure in the documentary, offering his perspective on the investigation. Mignini remains convinced of Knox and Sollecito’s involvement in the murder, and his interviews reveal the underlying cultural and judicial differences that may have fueled the miscommunication between the prosecution and defense throughout the trial.
The documentary also includes commentary from journalists who covered the case, highlighting how the sensationalist media coverage contributed to the global fascination with the case. Many of the journalists reflect on how Knox became the central figure in the narrative, overshadowing both the victim, Meredith Kercher, and the actual legal process.
Themes: Truth, Justice, and Media Sensationalism
One of the central themes of Amanda Knox is the idea of truth versus perception. The documentary shows how Knox’s behavior, which was seen as strange or inappropriate by investigators and the media, contributed to her portrayal as guilty in the public eye. It raises the question of how much someone’s actions or demeanor can influence legal outcomes, particularly when those actions are filtered through the lens of sensationalist media.
The film also critiques the media’s role in turning a legal case into a spectacle. The documentary demonstrates how Knox became a character in a lurid narrative created by journalists eager to sell papers, rather than a real person involved in a tragic and complex case. The filmmakers use archival footage and news reports to show how the case was blown out of proportion, with the media often focusing more on Knox’s sexuality and perceived lack of remorse than on the actual evidence.
Finally, the documentary deals with the theme of justice and the complications that arise when different legal systems, public opinion, and media sensationalism intersect. The Italian legal system comes under scrutiny for its handling of the case, with the documentary raising questions about whether Knox and Sollecito received fair trials.
Where to Watch Amanda Knox Online in the U.S.
If you’re interested in watching Amanda Knox online, here are the platforms where you can stream or rent the documentary in the U.S.:
1. Subscription-Based Streaming Services
- Netflix: Amanda Knox is a Netflix original documentary and is available to stream exclusively on Netflix. If you have a Netflix subscription, you can watch the film as part of the platform’s extensive library, which includes documentaries, movies, and TV shows from around the world.
2. Rental/Purchase Options
Currently, Amanda Knox is not available for rent or purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies, or Apple TV. It remains exclusive to Netflix as part of its documentary series.
Conclusion
Amanda Knox (2016) is a gripping and thought-provoking documentary that goes beyond the headlines to explore one of the most controversial legal cases of the past two decades. Through interviews with key figures in the case, including Amanda Knox herself, the film offers a balanced look at the investigation, the role of the media, and the complicated nature of truth and justice.
While the documentary doesn’t provide definitive answers, it succeeds in presenting a nuanced narrative that challenges viewers to reconsider the story they thought they knew. Whether you’re familiar with the case or encountering it for the first time, Amanda Knox is a fascinating examination of how truth can become distorted in the glare of public scrutiny.
To watch Amanda Knox, simply head to Netflix, where it’s available for streaming as part of their original content lineup.
