Netflix's new docuseries, American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson, delves deep back to one of the most sensational murder trials ever, catching the public's attention once again. The four-part series, which premiered on January 29, 2025, revisits the brutal murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman, intimately exploring the events surrounding their tragic deaths and the subsequent trial of O.J. Simpson. With the director Floyd Russ at the helm, the documentary aims to present the gripping narrative of what is often referred to as 'the trial of the century.'
Directed by Floyd Russ, who was only eleven years old during the initial trial, American Manhunt offers new perspectives and significant insights, highlighting both missed opportunities for evidence presentation and the emotional impact on the victims' families. "There’s a lot of people who don’t know who O.J. really is, and who he became and what he should be remembered for,” Russ shared, shedding light on the generational shift since the trial.
From the harrowing day of the murders on June 12, 1994, to the subsequent infamous police chase, the docuseries captures the chilling sequence of events. It reflects on the atmosphere around the trial, which captivated roughly 150 million viewers when the verdict was announced on October 3, 1995. The series chronologically tracks these events, enriching the famed history with awe-inspiring, lesser-known details.
One of the docuseries' standout elements is its emphasis on presenting evidence the jury never saw, distinctly noting facts directly on screen. For example, it highlights the existence of a bloody fingerprint discovered at Brown Simpson's gate, which was never collected as evidence. This aspect of the series provides insight not just to viewers but perhaps to some who followed the trial closely. Marcia Clark, the prosecutor, overlooked the witness Jill Shively, who had seen O.J. near Brown’s house during the time of the murder. Clark made this choice due to concerns about Shively's credibility after she was compensated for prior media appearances.
Another key figure profiled includes Skip Junis, who claimed to have seen Simpson discard something long and possibly wrapped before he fled to Chicago on the night of the murders. Alarmingly, no one called him to testify, raising eyebrows almost 30 years later. Such narratives highlight the unanswered questions surrounding the trial and the decisions made by law enforcement.
Perhaps the most shocking moment arrives when Mike Gilbert, former sports agent to Simpson, reveals his own long-held suspicions about O.J.'s guilt. Gilbert recounts how he once confronted Simpson, who infamously responded, "Nicole would still be alive if she hadn’t used a knife to open the door." Staggeringly, the director promotes the idea of how even such casual revelations can be interpreted as deflection of responsibility.
Invoking memories of courtroom drama, the series revisits the iconic moment when Simpson struggled to fit the blood-stained glove found at the scene onto his hand. The defensive lawyer, Johnnie Cochran, made his famous assertion, “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit.” Gilbert’s disclosure about encouraging Simpson to forgo his arthritis medication maximizing the chances of the glove not fitting raises fresh questions about the trial tactics employed and brings forward previously unconsidered dimensions of judicial strategy.
Kim Goldman, sister of murdered Ron Goldman, plays an emotive role throughout the series. During conversations, she reveals the raw pain of learning about her brother’s death—a moment etched deeply within her memory when her then-boyfriend told her to call her father. Tearfully recounting the ordeal, she shares her desire for viewers to have empathy, urging them to see the people behind the cases portrayed on screen.
Despite being acquitted of the double murders, O.J. Simpson was deemed liable for their deaths and was ordered to pay $33.5 million following civil litigation brought forth by the victims’ families. This duality of verdicts underlines the controversial facets of the case, which continues to provoke discussions about race, celebrity, and justice.
Simpson’s post-trial life encapsulated both notoriety and tragedy, including his 2008 conviction for robbery and subsequent release on parole. His death resulted from cancer on April 9, 2024, marking the end of his contentious chapter within American history.
American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson serves not only as another installment of the exploration of true crime but advocates for remembering the human factor within sensational cases. The docuseries has surfaced at just the right moment, inciting fresh debates about legality, evidence, and even ethics intertwined with the culture of crime storytelling.
Available to stream now on Netflix, the series sheds light on the enduring legacy of the O.J. Simpson case, making it clear: This isn't just merely entertainment—it’s about human suffering and the ripple effects of violence.