This Controversial True Crime Documentary Tops Max Charts: “Reporters pretending to be confused”
Oh, true crime. I’ve never been exactly shy about sharing just how frustrated I am not with just the subgenre, but its broader cultural (and legal) implications. In an ideal world, last year’s Red Rooms—one of my favorites of 2024—would be the definitive perspective on the genre. It’s time to let it go—nothing good will come of it. I recognize I’m in the minority there, if nothing else, and I will give true crime, at least good true crime, some credit. When the focus is on victims and shifting legacies away from violence toward something more meaningful, I think there’s value. The Zodiac Killer Project might have a thing or two to say about that.
So, color me surprised (not) that Max already has a documentary feature on Luigi Mangione not only streaming but consistently sitting at Number One on the streaming charts. I mean, I figured there’d inevitably be a documentary out on the subject, but I don’t know that I anticipated it only taking three months while Mangione remains in federal custody, facing 11 New York state charges and four federal charges. I have little doubt the documentary will be leaving the zeitgeist any time soon, so you can check it out on Max now.
Per Max: Writings and social media posts help to reveal the secret life and troubles of Luigi Mangione, the man accused of the brazen murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson and whom so many people are calling a hero.
Brian Ross and Rhonda Schwartz direct the 42-minute Who Is Luigi Mangione? Expectedly, reviews are not kind. After all, how can secret lives and motives—and, really, the deep interiority the subjects deserve—be accomplished in just a few short months? Expectedly, critics are lamenting the release, suggesting there’s nothing there that isn’t otherwise available in the many (many) news stories published on the subject any given day. Most recently? Luigi Mangione would like fans to stop sending him pictures.
Online, of course, the documentary Who Is Luigi Mangione has taken off. Fans are sounding off with their thoughts, good, bad, and everything in between. Check out some choice social media reactions below:
Now watching the “Who is Luigi Mangione?” on Max and it’s basically 45 minutes of crime reporters pretending to be scandalized and confused by the most straightforward crime ever committed.
— Matt Lieb?? (@mattlieb) February 19, 2025
The ‘documentary’
— LeafLee’sSweatShop(@LeafLee6) February 19, 2025
“who is Luigi Mangione”is a completely tone, deaf, uninformative waste of time and a capitalist effort to propaganda while failing miserably.
The other thing that really made me mad about it is how much they do not understand what chronic pain does to a person!
That who is Luigi mangione? doc on max is wild for saying he's a narcissist and then telling all the times he was selfless and cared for other people pic.twitter.com/aZPCHuj6j8
— jenny (@clarkjoes) February 19, 2025
Wow just watched "Who is Luigi Mangione" I believe it's on MAX or Peacock WELL WORTH THE WATCH!
— UGOTBOYCOTTED (@RISEANDBOYCOTT) February 19, 2025
HBO Max has a Documentary out called "Who is Luigi Mangione?" I recommend everyone watch it! They dive into his past, who he was, his family, and his motives better than anyone Else has so far!! pic.twitter.com/ZyekBpGYsE
— Tyler Mckenney (@BlurrdVzn) February 18, 2025
With all the talk, do you have any plans to check out Who Is Luigi Mangione on Max? When you do, be certain to let me know your thoughts, whatever they may be, over on Twitter @Chadiscollins.
Categorized:News
