Killing someone is a serious crime, but lacking remorse for the act makes it even worse. While the law can punish someone with a few years in prison, true rehabilitation requires internal change to prevent them from repeating such actions. The story of Joran van der Sloot begins in Aruba, where Natalee Holloway’s disappearance implicates him as the main suspect. Even though he was released due to lack of evidence, the case gained widespread attention in Aruba, the Netherlands, and eventually became a part of pop culture, much like the infamous Zodiac killer from the mid-90s.
A few years later, a similar incident to the Natalee case occurred in Lima, the capital of Peru. This led to the reopening of the case and uncovered even more disturbing and heartbreaking details. The documentary sheds light on Joran’s behaviour and interactions with authorities during this time. It explores whether he’s being framed by someone else or if he’s genuinely responsible for the deaths, as well as the reasons behind his actions.
Pathological: The Lies of Joran van der Sloot takes a conventional approach, combining stock news footage with interviews. However, as you delve deeper into the doc, you’ll find yourself increasingly irritated whenever the killer appears on screen. In addition, the non-linear screenplay adds to the engagement of the non-fiction narrative.
Aside from “Zodiac” (2007), you might be reminded of the Indian 2013 Malayalam film “Drishyam” while watching “Pathological.” The way the central character in “Drishyam” uses all his power to evade consequences parallels the tactics used by the main suspect in the Natalee case, which can be shocking. You’ll feel a sense of helplessness for the Holloway family as they are repeatedly manipulated by the killer.
Christopher Cassel excels as the director of “Pathological,” skilfully capturing the killer’s behaviour during police interrogations, stirring up anger, and drawing parallels to notorious psycho killers worldwide. The killer coddles in mischievous activities over the years, posing a threat not only to society but also to those close to him, as seen in his teenage days.
He is dreadful, and nobody would want to associate with him upon learning his true nature. He shows no remorse for his actions and takes pleasure in evading consequences. In its hour and thirty minutes runtime, the documentary effectively stirs deep-seated hatred towards the murderer, and perhaps that’s the filmmakers’ success.
As you study the murderer’s character in the film, you’ll find him to be clinical, unapologetic, and a threat to society. Besides his influential family, societal factors also contribute to shaping such people. The media’s involvement can sometimes complicate investigations, as seen in the Prime Video series ‘Mumbai Diaries,’ where media interference obstructs operations against terrorists—a similar situation portrayed in ‘Pathological.’
Additionally, in many cases, the media’s quest for truth leads to insensitivity towards the families of victims. Throughout history, society has often overlooked mental illness, resulting in people like the infamous Zodiac Killer. In the documentary, the murderer’s family failed to address his sadistic behaviour early on, allowing it to escalate unchecked and affect multiple families. While physical issues may or may not be contagious, mental illness frequently impacts society.
Even though it’s based on real events, ‘Pathological’ grabs your attention with its portrayal of the antagonist and the way it delivers its screenplay. If you’re a fan of crime documentaries, this one is right up your alley. The central characters are so intriguing that you could easily imagine a fictional film based solely on them.
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Verdict - 7/10
7/10