American Manhunt: The Boston Marathon Bombing – Netflix Review

AMERICAN MANHUNT: THE BOSTON MARATHON BOMBING on Netflix is a new documentary series. Many victims of the tragedy participate – as do those who investigated. Read our full American Manhunt: The Boston Marathon Bombing docu-series review here!

AMERICAN MANHUNT: THE BOSTON MARATHON BOMBING is a new Netflix documentary series. Obviously, being a docu-series about a real tragedy, this is a true-crime series. There are three 1-hour episodes that cover the events in a very chronological way. Importantly, the time and place are always clearly noted.

While it’s obviously a scary watch in so many ways – the kind that sends shivers down your spine – it’s also worth watching. In fact, it’s important to understand and acknowledge how these things happen.

Continue reading our American Manhunt: The Boston Marathon Bombing review below. On Netflix from April 12, 2023.

The Boston Marathon bombing tragedy

This three-part series manages to capture the feeling of urgency around the tense, terrifying days that followed the Boston Marathon bombing. First with footage of the actual bombing as many caught it on camera while filming people running. Then the minute-by-minute recounting of the manhunt.

It all began on Patriots’ Day in Boston in April of 2013. The Boston Marathon’s journey from the suburbs to the center of the city ended in a brutal tragedy when two bombs went off near the marathon’s finish line.

You’ll be getting historical context (both involving 9/11 and earlier events) as well as expert insight from people who took part in the manhunt. Also, there are emotional details from people who were at the Boston Marathon and from those who knew the bombers personally.

Hear the story from the victims

Obviously, those who died from the bombing at the Boston Marathon aren’t in the documentary, but people who were hurt in life-altering ways are. And they tell the story of how it all happened. Including how people (civilians and the police) reacted.

For me, it’s key that we hear about these events from the people that actually lived through them. It is brutal and heartbreaking, but also extremely important.

And yes, obviously also how the entire “manhunt”-part happened. You’ll probably relate to some more than others. Also, you’ll most likely feel that there were errors made by the police. Mostly because they clearly made quite a few mistakes. While the FBI and politicians tried to look at the bigger picture, far too many on the police force wanted to take action.

Even when taking action meant putting even more people in danger. Not all cops, of course, as some of them also still focused very much on the “protect and serve”-pledge. However, the Boston PD certainly did act in ways that endangered many. All while actually enabling one perpetrator to escape them.

If this weren’t a documentary, it would seem like something from a Police Academy movie!

Fortunately, the documentary filmmakers also manage to ask the tough questions to members of the police force. Not that they’ll admit anything. However, civilians who experienced the crazy actions of the police on a manhunt were happy to talk.

Watch American Manhunt: The Boston Maraton Bombing on Netflix!

With the release of this Netflix docu-series, the tenth anniversary of the tragedy sheds light on it yet again. Director Floyd Russ (Zion, Malice at the Palace) and executive producer Tiller Russell (Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer, Waco American Apocalypse) manage to cover the tragedy from several sides.

This feels like a documentary that wants to highlight the facts. You can think and feel however you want about this, but you cannot deny the facts.

For me, it’s the combination of footage (from civilians as well as closed-circuit video) combined with police radio talk and interviews that make for a strong docu-series. Particularly the testimony from the police officers, FBI agents, and ordinary citizens who experienced either the bombing or the killers’ capture. Definitely worth watching!

American Manhunt: The Boston Maraton Bombing docu-series is on Netflix from April 12, 2023.