Criticism of the New Amanda Knox Drama
The upcoming television drama about Amanda Knox has faced criticism for its portrayal and storytelling style, which some argue diminishes the gravity of the actual murder case. The series features Knox, played by Van Patten, narrating in a tone reminiscent of other recent true-crime adaptations like Inventing Anna and Apple Cider Vinegar. Critics believe this light-hearted approach undermines the seriousness of the events surrounding Knox’s wrongful conviction.
The Trend of ‘Reclaiming’ Narratives
In the wake of her wrongful conviction for murder, Knox’s desire to reclaim her story is understandable. Over the past decade, many narratives have emerged in pop culture, helping women like Britney Spears, Pamela Anderson, Monica Lewinsky, and Tonya Harding reshape their public images after being unfairly vilified.
Focus on Knox Over Victim
Even in the series’ brief homage to Meredith Kercher, the victim of the murder, Knox remains the primary focus, raising questions about narrative priorities.
Executive Production and Involvement
Notably, Monica Lewinsky serves as an executive producer on The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox, collaborating with Knox in a project that echoes Lewinsky’s own experiences as the subject of a scandal. Lewinsky co-produced the acclaimed miniseries Impeachment: American Crime Story, which depicted her perspective during her affair with former President Bill Clinton. While some projects involve their subjects in the production process, others, like Hulu’s Pam and Tommy, do not. Journalist Jessica Bennett raised thought-provoking questions about the consumption of these narratives, asking, “At what point does the fictional depiction of that spectacle, and our viewing of it, become just as bad as watching it in the first place?”
Knox’s Perspective on the Case
Knox aims to shine a light on the real perpetrator, Rudy Guede, who received a comparatively swift trial and conviction away from the media spotlight. In a recent conversation with Newsweek, she noted, “No one cares about this guy who actually murdered my roommate. I think that is so indicative of what was going on at the time, and has always been going on with this case, [which] is the idea that it wasn’t ever even really about Meredith… The truth of what happened to her, and the truth of the person who actually did it, got completely lost for the sake of a scandalous story.”
