West of Memphis
An urgent true-crime investigation revisits an Arkansas miscarriage of justice, following a long campaign to expose buried evidence and institutional failure.
Overview
A gripping exploration of justice and the fight for truth in the American South.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- harrowing
- riveting
- devastating
- serious documentary night
- true crime viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the documentary as a riveting and devastating indictment of police incompetence, civic hysteria, prosecutorial misconduct, and a flawed criminal justice system.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The investigation focuses on alleged police incompetence, civic hysteria, prosecutorial misconduct, and the imprisonment of three men despite persuasive contrary evidence.
The filmmakers use unprecedented access to defense research, investigation, and appeals while pursuing new information and another possible suspect.
The film portrays the desperate fight to bring the truth to light and highlights civil rights lawyers and international supporters.
The Arkansas murder case is presented as a source of enduring darkness and trauma, with closure remaining elusive.
Films like West of Memphis, and why
Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills
investigative documentary exposing wrongful conviction and failures within the criminal justice system
Paradise Lost 2: Revelations
true crime documentary examining a controversial murder case, public hysteria, and disputed evidence
The Thin Blue Line
social-justice documentary centered on wrongful imprisonment, legal advocacy, and systemic injustice
Making a Murderer
riveting courtroom and criminal-justice investigation built around contested evidence and institutional misconduct
Movie Details
- Director
- Amy J. Berg
- Release Date
- 2012-11-22
- Runtime
- 150 min
- Rating
- 7.4 / 10 (162)
Cast
- Damien Echols
- Jessie Misskelley Jr.
- Jason Baldwin
- Pam Hobbs
- Steve Jones
- John Fogleman
- Jerry Driver
- Sharon French
- Lorri Davis
- Mara Leveritt
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Howdy Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is West of Memphis about?
- An urgent true-crime investigation revisits an Arkansas miscarriage of justice, following a long campaign to expose buried evidence and institutional failure.
- What is West of Memphis like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of West of Memphis as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is West of Memphis violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in West of Memphis as graphic.
- What did critics think of West of Memphis?
- Critics broadly praised the documentary as a riveting and devastating indictment of police incompetence, civic hysteria, prosecutorial misconduct, and a flawed criminal justice system.
- Which films are like West of Memphis?
- Films with a similar feel include Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills, Paradise Lost 2: Revelations, The Thin Blue Line, and Making a Murderer.
- How long is West of Memphis?
- West of Memphis runs 150 minutes.
- Where can I watch West of Memphis?
- In United States, West of Memphis streams on Howdy Amazon Channel.
