Netflix’s recent documentary series, Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez, sparks controversy as it delves into the personal details of the former NFL star charged with murder. The series speculates on multiple theories to explain why Hernandez committed both murder and suicide. Killer Inside sheds light on head trauma, mental health issues, and most controversial, Hernandez’s sexuality.
Hernandez was serving life in prison for shooting and killing Odin Lloyd, a friend he met through football. Although there is no confirmed motive for Lloyd’s murder, the documentary speculates Hernandez’s sexuality as potential motive. Viewers attest that Killer Inside wrongly outed Hernandez posthumously, without his consent.
The documentary series focuses on reporter, Michelle McPhee, who closely followed the case while Hernandez was still alive. McPhee appeared on a radio show where she made homophobic remarks in questioning Hernandez’s sexuality. Killer Inside points out that the rumors gained widespread media attention days before finding Hernandez’s body, suggesting it led to his suicide.
Ultimately, viewers are upset because the documentary outs Hernandez involuntarily. Many believe it is problematic to reveal intimate details about someone’s sexual preferences without their consent. According to viewers, Hernandez’s potential bisexuality is not relevant to the crimes he committed. Additionally, viewers argue that Killer inside perpetuates the faulty notion that someone suppressing their sexuality can lash out violently. Moving forward, many viewers feel that documentaries should focus on the relevance to the wider story instead of honing in on unsubstantiated rumors.
On one hand, outing Aaron Hernandez affects the queer community on a broader scale because individuals should have the right to come out themselves, on their own terms. However, viewers who favor the series disagree because Hernandez is not a typical individual; rather, he is a murderer who does not deserve empathy. Both sides of the argument are valid, and I end up wavering back and forth. I’m unsure if the series should have aired, or if the pros outweigh the cons of documenting a high profile murder. Ultimately, it is up to the viewer to determine if Killer Inside did the case coverage justice.