How far would you go to defy your parents’ wishes, and what extremes might you resort to to break free from familial expectations? In Netflix’s “What Jennifer Did”, the answer may shock you: murder.
Through police interrogations, news footage, and interviews, this 90-minute true-crime documentary delves into the case of Jennifer Pan, a gifted pianist who orchestrated the deaths of her parents.
It’s a tense affair from the start, as we hear the frantic 911 call from the Pan family home in a tranquil Ontario, Canada neighbourhood on Nov 8, 2010.
Jennifer’s desperate plea paints a grim picture: armed intruders have barged in, leaving chaos in their wake. Her mother, Bich Ha, is killed, while her father somehow survives a gunshot wound. He is rushed to hospital and placed in an induced coma.
While initially deemed a random assault, suspicion soon turns towards Jennifer. Surveillance footage from a neighbour’s camera unveils a startling truth: three individuals entering the home without force, casting doubt on the 24-year-old’s narrative.
The documentary explores Jennifer’s strained relationship with her immigrant parents, whose relentless push for academic and musical excellence strained their bond. Adding to the tension was their disapproval of her relationship with a known drug dealer.
As the story unfolds, we discover a world of deceit fuelled by Jennifer’s craving for independence. She weaves a web of lies, including fabricating university life, and faking report cards and loan documents, to maintain her facade.
Chilling text messages recovered from Jennifer’s phone soon expose a calculated plot to silence her controlling parents. And in a surreal twist, it is her father’s own testimony that proves crucial in solving the case.
Still, viewers are left grappling with questions of motive and morality. Was Jennifer a victim of her upbringing, driven to extreme measures by parental pressure? Or was she a cold monster who saw murder as the only escape?
What could drive a child to murder their own flesh and blood? Had she had a history of violence when she was younger?
Unfortunately, while the documentary provides a gripping account of the case, the psychological depths are largely unexplored, leaving viewers craving more insight into Jennifer’s psyche.
The documentary does interview a family friend, Jennifer’s former piano teacher, and her ex-classmate. However, their insights don’t really add any meat to the story.
Production-wise, the overly dramatic tone detracts from the compelling narrative. Clichéd one-liners from the interviewed detectives and a dramatic soundtrack only add unnecessary sensationalism.
Furthermore, the programme’s reliance on investigation footage that was already available online feels lazy. Youtube channel “JCS – Criminal Psychology” uploaded the footage in 2020 and did what the documentary should have done: offer a more in-depth analysis of the case.
Perhaps Netflix should have taken a leaf from the channel’s book.
Nevertheless, despite its flaws, “What Jennifer Did” remains a chilling reminder of the consequences of twisted ambition and the darkness that lurks within seemingly ordinary individuals.
‘What Jennifer Did’ is streaming on Netflix.