Errol Morris returns to his main obsessions — evil and delusion — in a new Netflix documentary, “Chaos: The Manson Murders.” The film is based on the book by journalist Tom O’Neill and explores why we are so obsessed with this particular set of murders that occurred over 55 years ago.
The central question at the heart of the documentary is whether it’s possible to explain why our culture is drawn to true crime narratives, particularly those involving Charles Manson’s infamous family. The answer Morris suggests lies in a deeper fascination with mind control and how Manson brainwashed people into committing horrific crimes.
Through interviews with O’Neill and other voices from Manson’s inner circle, including Bobby Beausoleil, the film explores themes of paranoia, delusion, and government involvement. While some argue that government agencies were involved in controlling or manipulating Manson’s family, others claim that his motivations were more mundane.
Morris’ own investigation into the subject is skeptical of O’Neill’s narrative but ultimately unable to dismiss it outright. The documentary raises a broader question about our desire for truth and resolution in stories – can we find them with fiction, or do we need the uncertainty of reality? “Chaos: The Manson Murders” is a thought-provoking examination that gets to the heart of why this story continues to captivate us, despite its dark and disturbing nature.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/06/movies/chaos-the-manson-murders-review.html