Netflix tip of the day: The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes

If you read my articles more often, you might already know: I do love a good conspiracy theory. I can stay up all night reading about whether 9/11 was an inside job or not and whether Tupac, Michael Jackson, and Elvis Presley are really dead or if they might be hanging out together on a deserted island. I can add a new one to the list: the death of Marilyn Monroe. Netflix has dared to tackle this by releasing a documentary called The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes. And good news: it’s already online.

In this documentary, they show never-before-heard interviews and conversations with her close ones. Of course, there is also attention for her alleged affairs with John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy, how she struggled with depression in her life and the corresponding medication she took for it, and all the gossip she faced throughout her career, up to her death on August 4, 1962.

For a true crime lover, this is definitely a must-see, but also if you love Hollywood, gossip, and all the grim sides that come with it, because those are also covered extensively. Admittedly: we don’t really get a clear answer to the question that conspiracy theory enthusiasts have, namely: did Marilyn Monroe really die from an overdose or was she murdered? That enthusiast in me might prefer to see some speculations and possible (counter)evidence here, but still, it’s a remarkable glimpse into the life of this former sex symbol.

Her various relationships with men are thoroughly examined, and it becomes very clear what she missed in her life: a father figure. Add to that the enormous attention she received from the tabloids and the world, and it’s not so strange that she headed towards a very self-destructive path.

Of course, her affair with especially John F. Kennedy is not left unspoken, something I actually knew very little about. In general, I really knew very little about this American actress, although I always found her life incredibly fascinating. That it has become an intriguing documentary is something that is certain. A big recommendation even. I give it an eight. Yes, a high score, but watch it yourself, then you’ll understand.

Image: Netflix