Why Netflix’s ‘The Truth About Jussie Smollett?’ Only Deepens the Mystery

Netflix thrives on making you question not just the plot, but your entire existence. From reality dating shows where love looks like a tax write-off, to thrillers that feel like HR complaints with soundtracks, the platform has a knack for drama. Enter The Truth About Jussie Smollett?, a title punctuated with a question mark, because even Netflix knows the truth is optional.

While reality TV sells chaos as romance, this documentary sells confusion as clarity, reminding viewers that truth is just another subscription plan.

Conflicting perspectives in The Truth About Jussie Smollett? leave viewers guessing

The documentary The Truth About Jussie Smollett? splits itself like a Marvel multiverse of lies. On one side, Chicago Police and the Osundairo brothers swear Jussie Smollett choreographed the whole event. On the other hand, Smollett doubles down on being the victim of a hate crime. Viewers are left choosing between a hoax mastermind or a tragic survivor, like Netflix asking if you are still watching. Both narratives demand attention, but neither comes with a refund policy.

The film throws in unproven claims like free samples at Costco, tempting, but not exactly reliable. Jussie Smollett says the infamous check was for herbal steroids, not staged assaults. Witnesses describe attackers as white, which contradicts the police theory. There is even shaky jail footage suggesting cozy chats with cops. None of this lands as hard evidence, but in the world of Netflix, unverified tea is still binge-worthy content.

While Netflix sprinkles unverified claims like confetti at a parade, Gagan Rehill turns the documentary into a mind-bending labyrinth where every angle twists reality and multiplies the confusion.

Gagan Rehill turns The Truth About Jussie Smollett? into a philosophical puzzle

Director Gagan Rehill told USA TODAY that he did not aim for answers, only questions, giving philosophy majors a new hobby. He calls the case a “gem,” reflecting differently from every angle. Translation: everyone is simultaneously guilty and innocent, depending on which interview is played at double speed. The question mark in the title is not sloppy punctuation; it is Netflix’s very own escape room.  

Netflix has a long list of similarly chilling true crime documentaries that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. From Amanda Knox, diving into a high-profile courtroom drama in Italy, to Don’t F— With Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer, where online sleuths track a shocking criminal, the stories are gripping and horrifying. Add Girl in the Picture and The Tinder Swindler, and the endless lineup proves that reality, including the Jussie Smollett case, can be far scarier than fiction.

What are your thoughts on Netflix turning the Jussie Smollett case into a philosophical cliffhanger instead of an exposé? Let us know in the comments below.