I’m Not a Monster: The Lois Riess Murders – Review | Max

I’M NOT A MONSTER: THE LOIS RIESS MURDERS on Max is a new true crime documentary in two parts, each feature-length. We hear from both the convicted murderer and those who knew her as well as her victims. Read our I’m Not a Monster: The Lois Riess Murders documentary review here!

I’M NOT A MONSTER: THE LOIS RIESS MURDERS is a new HBO Original two-part documentary on Max. It’s a true crime documentary where the focus is on both the killer and her victims. I don’t know that I was much wiser after watching this, but I was fascinated.

Is she a monster? Well, she is a convicted murderer. The rest is up to your interpretation.

Continue reading our I’m Not a Monster: The Lois Riess Murders documentary review below. Find both episodes on Max from October 15, 2024.

A grandmother goes on the run

The story begins in 2018 when a murder happens in a small town in Minnesota. The kind of place where people just do not get murdered. Obviously, such an event shocks the community, but it’s about to get a lot more shocking.

It turns out the murderer is the 56-year-old wife, mother, and grandmother Lois Riess. She has killed her husband David, and left him lying in their home for 12 days while attempting to make it seem like he’s still alive. Then she goes on the run from the authorities and heads south.

Now, Lois Riess has agreed to do an interview with the filmmakers from the prison where she is serving her sentence. Lois comes across as kind and loving, which is exactly how everyone else describes her.

However, her demons include an addiction to gambling and a rather disturbing family history. One that has multiple examples of family members suffering from mental illness. And “suffering” is definitely the right word in this case.

Murderer, victim, or both?!

While it’s easy enough to accept the explanation and reasoning of Lois, when it comes to the murder of her husband, her actions following this event do not paint a pretty picture. Also, there’s the huge issue of her then killing a total stranger; Pamela Hutchinson.

A woman with a similar background and who shows the same kindness Lois Riess is known for. Once again, the slaying of another human being is followed by Lois going on the run. This time she even takes on the identity of her murder victim, Pamela Hutchinson.

If you can understand the how and why of the first murder, I doubt you can for the second. And therein lies the conundrum. Her actions are despicable in either case (not least what she does after committing murder), but the second also seems to be without reason.

A killer but not a monster?

So, is Lois Riess a murderer? Absolutely! She admits to killing her husband and knows she killed a kind woman as well, though she claims not to remember. Is she also a victim? Well, it would certainly appear so.

Both from her own description of her life and when hearing from her friends and family.

Does this excuse her actions? No. But it does perhaps explain them. I say “perhaps” as she leans into the excuse of mental illness more than any actual diagnosis. At least from what I understood.

Along with Lois Riess herself, we also get insight from former friends and neighbors, family members, journalists, an addiction specialist, law enforcement officers, and those who encountered Lois immediately before her arrest. Including a possible would-be victim!

Watch I’m Not a Monster: The Lois Riess Murders on Max and HBO 

The new HBO Original documentary I’m Not a Monster: The Lois Riess Murders comes from director Erin Lee Carr. Previously, she made HBO’s Undercurrent: The Disappearance of Kim Wall and Mommy Dead and Dearest as well as executive produced Hulu’s Perfect Wife.

Erin Lee Carr also does a stellar job of interviewing Lois. She does not let her get away with explanations or excuses that do not match facts. I really liked this. After all, if an interviewer goes easy on their subject, it’s rarely a good thing.

While Erin Lee Carr tries her best to let Lois Riess explain herself, she doesn’t accept unfounded excuses. Nor does Lois Riess herself. She does, however, retort to a “the mind is a wild thing”-reasoning.

I also loved how she let a Florida sheriff just be himself. Sheriff Carmine Marceno clearly sees himself as some sort of superhero, and she lets him show off. The saying “When someone shows you who they are, believe them!” came to mind. We see him looking admiringly at himself as he plays a recruitment video featuring himself.

MORE OF SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO

The Lee Country Sheriff Carmine Marceno is currently under investigation for money laundering. This news broke just last month [September 2024] which doesn’t look too good for Mr. Law and Order >

He comes across as the kind of law enforcement officer born a century or two too late. Fascinating to watch, but also scary as he takes on this role as an identity. If he’s your protector, then great. If not, I would be terrified, which I suppose is the point.

If you’re watching I’m Not a Monster: The Lois Riess Murders on HBO, Part One debuts on Tuesday, October 15, at 9:00 PM with Part Two debuting the following day on Wednesday, October 16, also at 9:00 PM.

I’m Not a Monster: The Lois Riess Murders is on Max with both parts from October 15, 2024.