‘A Deadly American Marriage’ (2025) Netflix Review - Murder, Lies, and a Battle for the Children

“A Deadly American Marriage” is Netflix’s latest addition to its growing collection of gripping true crime documentaries. With a runtime of approximately 100 minutes, the film takes viewers on a tense and emotionally charged journey, one that is anything but straightforward. As the story unfolds, you may find your perspective shifting more than once, as conflicting narratives and unsettling details emerge.

The documentary is structured chronologically, walking viewers through the complex events that surround the tragic death of Jason Corbett, an Irish national living in the United States. At the core of this real-life drama is a brutal killing that sparked not only a murder investigation but also an emotionally fraught custody battle. What begins with a chilling 9-1-1 call soon spirals into a case filled with twists, accusations, and lingering questions.

The emergency call was placed by Jason’s second wife, Molly Martens, and her father, Tom Martens. In the call, they claim to have killed Jason in self-defense. However, when investigators arrive at the scene, they are met with a disturbing level of violence—blood-spattered walls and injuries that raise serious doubts about the initial story. The physical evidence quickly becomes a major point of contention, suggesting a far more deliberate act than what was described in the call.

But the aftermath of the killing takes the tragedy even further. The focus soon turns to Jason’s two children, Jack and Sarah, whose biological mother died when they were infants. Molly had originally come into their lives as an au pair and later became their stepmother. Following Jason’s death, Molly and her family pursued custody of the children, setting off a bitter legal and emotional battle.

What complicates the narrative is the polarized view of Jason Corbett himself. Depending on whom you believe, Jason was either a devoted father and gentle soul or a controlling and abusive partner. The documentary presents both portrayals without pushing a definitive judgment, allowing the viewer to weigh the contrasting testimonies. This ambiguity is heightened by conflicting statements from the children, who, perhaps due to influence or trauma, changed their accounts over time.

Adding to the complexity, the documentary features secretly recorded audio of Jason, captured without his knowledge. In these clips, his tone is angry and aggressive. Yet, because Molly was aware of the location and operation of the recording devices, questions arose about the authenticity and context of the audio clips.

“A Deadly American Marriage” doesn’t offer easy answers. Instead, much like The Staircase or the enduring mystery of the JonBenet Ramsey case, it presents the audience with layered truths and moral gray areas. Viewers are left to decide for themselves who is telling the truth, what justice looks like, and whether the full story will ever truly be known.

Final Score- [8/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times