“The Truth and Tragedy of Moriah Wilson” is the latest product off the crime documentary assembly line to raise the question of why it exists and what it ever hoped to achieve. Wilson was a rising star in the world of professional cycling who was murdered at 25 in Austin, Texas, in 2022. The killing was, in the words of Wilson’s mother, Karen, a “senseless crime,” and the movie, directed by Marina Zenovich (“I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not”), does nothing that would make sense of it.
The film gives viewers an appreciation for Wilson’s kindness, her racing accomplishments and her disarming attitude toward sports and life. It also walks viewers through what seems like really solid detective work, which led to a conviction in 2023. Zenovich structures the documentary to maximize mystery and suspense, so it would be unfair to spoil the specifics for anyone who hasn’t read about the case.
But “Truth and Tragedy” has little to add. To all appearances, it contains no supplemental evidence or theories that would introduce complexity to the general narrative of what occurred. Mainly, it appears interested in tabloid-ready details, such as a suspect’s elaborate efforts to flee or the “jealous psycho” motive (as a defense lawyer puts it) that the prosecution presented.
To the extent that the movie tries to be a human interest story, it leans into straightforward exploitation, as when the friend Wilson had been staying with remembers getting a phone call from Karen after the death or when Wilson’s ex describes seeing the missed calls and text message that alerted him that “something had happened.” If there’s anything illuminating or edifying about watching these painful recollections, “Truth and Tragedy” misses it.
The Truth and Tragedy of Moriah Wilson Not rated. Running time: 1 hour 35 minutes. Watch on Netflix.
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