Watch Casting JonBenet

Casting JonBenét is an innovative and intriguing documentary film that explores the unsolved mystery of the murder of six-year-old beauty queen JonBenét Ramsey. The film is directed by Australian filmmaker, Kitty Green, and was released on Netflix in 2017. The documentary takes a unique approach to exploring the JonBenét Ramsey case by casting actors to portray the real-life people involved in the investigation. The actors are from the Boulder, Colorado area, where the murder took place in 1996, and they audition for the roles of JonBenét, her parents John and Patsy, and other key figures in the case.

As the actors prepare for their auditions, they also share their own personal stories and their connections to the case. Through their candid interviews, the filmmakers provide an insightful exploration into the community's relationship with JonBenét's murder and the media attention that followed.

The film's production design is intricate and detailed, which greatly emphasizes the themes of repetition, staging, and performance. For instance, the actors dressed in the same clothes as the real-life figures they are portraying, while the set and locations are meticulously designed to evoke the feel and atmosphere of the case. This design approach highlights that the investigation process itself was performative and theatrical, blurring the lines between reality and perception.

The documentary's central theme is the various interpretations of the events surrounding JonBenét's death. The filmmakers interview various individuals involved in the case, including investigators and reporters, and include old news footage and clips from press conferences to show how the media influenced the public perception of JonBenét, her family, and the investigation's outcome. There are also moments where actresses playing Patsy Ramsey or JonBenét offer their own interpretation of what happened, providing an inside look into the many theories and speculations of the case.

In conclusion, Casting JonBenét is a haunting and thought-provoking film that explores the intersection of tragedy, performance, and media, while providing a fresh perspective on one of America's most infamous unsolved cases.

Casting JonBenet is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1 and a MetaScore of 74.