The Jinx was interesting because murderer Robert Durst was a gruesomely fascinating interview subject. The Jinx – Part Two falters without his involvement.
HBO
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HBO
The Jinx was interesting because murderer Robert Durst was a gruesomely fascinating interview subject. The Jinx – Part Two falters without his involvement.
HBO
HBO’s The Jinx, which aired in 2015, played a key role in the true-crime TV and audio boom, featuring the strange and talkative murderer Robert Durst. The follow-up, The Jinx – Part Two, lacks Durst’s compelling presence.
The original The Jinx explored Durst’s suspected involvement in various murders, with his bizarre interviews making it riveting. However, The Jinx – Part Two struggles without his participation, focusing on his trial without the same intrigue.
While the series raises ethical questions about its portrayal of victims, it fails to captivate viewers without Durst. The lack of new revelations and reliance on reenactments make it less engaging than the original.
Despite some interesting moments, the new episodes feel lackluster compared to the original, highlighting the unique appeal of Durst as an interview subject. The final two episodes may bring surprises, but so far, the series seems to lack the magic of the first installment.
This piece also appeared in NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour newsletter. Sign up for the newsletter to stay updated on the latest entertainment news.
Vocabulary List:
- True-crime (noun): A genre of non-fiction focusing on real crimes and criminal investigations.
- Compelling (adjective): Evoking interest attention or admiration.
- Intrigue (noun): The secret planning of something illicit or detrimental.
- Ethical (adjective): Relating to moral principles or the branch of knowledge dealing with these.
- Riveting (adjective): Holding the attention or interest intensely.
- Capitalize (verb): To take the chance to gain some advantage.
