true crime podcasting is the place of A vague and ethically gray area. for all rigorously researched reports For murder mysteries, there may be dozens more places for amateur detectives to dabble in plagiarism(opens in new tab), wild speculation, unchecked conspiracy theories, cracking jokes and refilling wine glasses. You might consider them heroes.But a slippery and sophisticated documentary citizen detective We expose our dark underbelly to these altruistic ambitions.
the main character of citizen detective She looks so much like a true crime podcasting cliché that she seems like a caricature at first.Hosted by Emily Nestor mile marker 181(opens in new tab) The podcast is a young white woman who projects alternative cool with a messy bun, oversized glasses, and studded tattoos. Part of it was inspired by her passion for true crime. You could say she wears her love of the genre on her sleeve, but in reality, her heart tut wrapped in a banner that reads “True Crime” is on her leg.
She has showered accolades with popular documentaries such as: make a killer and i’m disappearing into the darkness But Nestor’s passion for crime-solving was originally inspired by fictional FBI agent Clarice Starling. Silence of the LambsIn that story of an underrated country girl doing good, West Virginia’s Nestor saw a path to her own passion for justice. , sparked rumors of a cover-up, Nestor saw a chance to make her dream come true. Yes, enough for a podcast.
in what case citizen detective follow?
On November 19, 2011, a 20-year-old black woman from Marietta, Ohio was found dead on the side of Interstate 77 in West Virginia.authorities decide(opens in new tab) A car accident responsible for the death of Jaleayah Davis. However, speculation began to fly that a friend of hers, whom Davis had partyed with earlier that night, might have played a role in her tragic ending.
Interesting details about Davis’ body condition, clothing arrangement, and car location prompted Nestor to take action and launch a podcast aimed at uncovering dark truths. she shared citizen detectivefilmmaker. “What the hell was I like? Murder. Cover-up. This needs to be handled. So why not me?”
Over 23 episodes, Nestor explored possibilities, interviewing Davis’ mother, interrogating police officers, developing theories of her preferences, and sharing her own personal story. citizen detective Her podcasts are on the rise, starting with Nestor, making her a new celebrity in true crime conferences and podcast meetups.
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citizen detective Dare to be real about real crime podcasting.
Eager for attention, Nestor welcomes documentary writer Chris Kasic into his home and DIY podcasting studio. The studio includes a wall of wool and an understated form her box to improve the sound quality of her recordings. Her family warmly views her show as a profitable hobby for her, and she boasts of her “willingness” to pursue this passion without a college education. However, to impress her, Nestor begins leaking embarrassing and unrelated information about her victim. The name drop for this twisted version serves as an early red flag that this isn’t a brave detective story.
As Kasick joins Nestor for a true crime conference, the podcasters line up in dismay to capture them laughing with merch and props. citizen detective Steadily moving away from glorifying these ambitions.A real-life detective in a sea of fame-seeking fans Paul Halls(opens in new tab) — famous for solving the case of the Golden State Killer — seems to be the light of reason. So when Nestor records an interview with him on the podcast and compares notes on what he thinks happened to Davis, it could be a triumphant moment for the aspiring Starling.Where is it instead citizen detective We have an important turn.
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citizen detective Boldly anxious.
In act three, Nestor falls into the problematic trap of true crime: exploitation. Her quest for truth yielded an inconvenient answer. Telling them could risk ending her podcast. We confront her with an ethical dilemma while addressing our own concerns. Because a revelation from Halls calls into question their project as well.
final tension citizen detective Not only do I worry about what Nestor will do, but I also think about how her being filmed will affect her decisions. Is this why[white women]burst into tears when asked about benefiting from the violent deaths of black women? Or will it be the edits off her hand that drive her into a ruthless self-assessment? You may be wondering what the discussions were about creating or continuing the project.
some of the most memorable moments citizen detective That’s when Kasick interviewed her suspect over Nestor. In these interviews, the dizzying thrills of an amateur dabbling in true crime get a chilling slap. The documentary focuses on Nestor, and while it certainly shows her some favors, it doesn’t suggest she’s an outlier in this booming industry. , a true crime podcaster chit-chat in a cacophonous audio montage, prompting the audience to think critically about what they hear next.
Uncompromising riveting and heart-pounding, citizen detective A must for true crime fans.
citizen detective Reviewed from the world premiere at SXSW 2023.
