The Best True-Crime Documentary Ever Made, ‘The Jinx,’ Actually Helped Catch the Criminal

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True crime documentaries often reveal shocking and unsettling stories, exposing the darker side of human behavior. They explore how seemingly ordinary people can commit terrible acts, often focusing on the psychology of criminals – whether they’re currently imprisoned, long gone, or even still at large. This can be deeply unsettling, leaving viewers wondering if danger could be closer than they think.

In 2015, filmmaker Andrew Jarecki created a fascinating documentary about a man who had skillfully avoided consequences for his actions for years, using his wealth and legal connections. Jarecki felt strongly that there was more to the story, and his investigation led him into a world of lies and deceit, almost as compelling as the man himself. Ultimately, his dedication to uncovering the truth proved incredibly rewarding – and that’s putting it mildly.

HBO’s six-part documentary series, The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst (available on HBO Max), revealed a carefully planned cover-up that had allowed its subject, Robert Durst, to avoid consequences for decades. Throughout February 2015, as episodes aired weekly, viewers were split on whether Durst was truly involved in the terrible crimes linked to him. But the sixth and final episode dramatically shifted perceptions.

What Did Robert Durst Do?


HBO

In 2010, filmmaker Andrew Jarecki first encountered the strange story of Robert Durst while directing the movie All Good Things, which starred Ryan Gosling and Kirsten Dunst. Though the film didn’t directly deal with the murders Durst was suspected of, its plot closely resembled the accusations he had always denied. Surprisingly, Durst enjoyed the film and reached out to Jarecki, asking for an interview. This marked the wealthy real estate heir’s return to public attention after years of staying out of the spotlight.

The acclaimed documentary The Jinx features extensive interviews between filmmaker Andrew Jarecki and Robert Durst. It combines actual footage with news coverage of the disappearances of Durst’s wife, Kathleen McCormack, and his friend, Susan Berman. Despite mounting evidence hinting at his involvement, Durst consistently maintained his innocence. In the fifth episode, a key piece of evidence is revisited, prompting Jarecki to confront Durst one last time in the season’s final episode.

A Jaw-Dropping Finale That Left the Entire World Without Words (And Sent a Murderer to Prison)

The last episode of The Jinx shows filmmaker Andrew Jarecki getting Robert Durst to agree to one more interview, despite Durst previously avoiding questions about new evidence. In a conference room, Jarecki presents Durst with strong evidence linking him to the murders, but Durst continues to deny killing Susan Berman. When Jarecki seems to give up and Durst asks to go to the restroom, Durst unknowingly leaves his microphone on. The episode ends with Durst muttering to himself, “What the hell did I do? Killed them all, of course.”

The day before the documentary episode was released, Durst was arrested and charged with murder. The FBI reviewed evidence provided by the show’s creators and determined they had enough to take him into custody. From that point on, Durst couldn’t escape facing the consequences and ultimately went to trial.

I was shocked to learn that The Jinx continued after the first season! They came back in 2024 with a second season that showed Robert Durst actually going to trial for the murders he was suspected of – including the disturbing case of his neighbor, Morris Black. It was incredible that he even gave new interviews. Sadly, while he was serving a life sentence, Durst passed away from cardiac arrest in 2022, and the new season of the HBO series covers even that.




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2026-02-22 20:05