The defence The Auteur Devotee
“Ambition earns the room.”
The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.
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West of Memphis
Documentary · 2012
The documentary tells the hitherto unknown story behind an extraordinary and desperate fight to bring the truth to light. Told and made by those who lived it, the filmmakers' unprecedented access to the inner workings of the defense allows the film to show the investigation, research, and appeals process in a way that has never been seen before; revealing shocking and disturbing new information about a case that still haunts the American South.
Movie details
West of Memphis
“An examination of a failure of justice in Arkansas”
2012 Documentary 2h 30m
Critical arithmetic
One number, for now.
Scores change. Arguments endure.
TMDB
7.4 / 10
Community rating
The documentary tells the hitherto unknown story behind an extraordinary and desperate fight to bring the truth to light. Told and made by those who lived it, the filmmakers' unprecedented access to the inner workings of the defense allows the film to show the investigation, research, and appeals process in a way that has never been seen before; revealing shocking and disturbing new information about a case that still haunts the American South.
CriticWise case file
What this film says about your taste.
Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.
The archetype split
Who fights over West of Memphis?
For the defence
The Auteur Devotee
“You watch the director, not the movie.”
Read their case For the prosecution
The Popcorn Loyalist
“Big screen, big feelings, no apologies.”
Read their objectionThe split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.
Taste neighbourhood
Nearby on the taste map.
TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.
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For Sama
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Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart
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Names above the title
The people responsible.
Cast & crew
Directed by
Amy J. Berg
Written by
Billy McMillin · Amy J. Berg
Damien Echols
Self
Jessie Misskelley Jr.
Self
Jason Baldwin
Self
P
Pam Hobbs
Self – Stevie Branch's Mother
S
Steve Jones
Self – Former Juvenile Officer, Crittenden County
J
John Fogleman
Self – Former Deputy Prosecutor
J
Jerry Driver
Self – Former Juvenile Corrections Officer
Court is in session
Put West of Memphis on trial.
Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.
The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist
“Importance has entered the chat.”
The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.