‘State of Alabama vs. Brittany Smith’ Netflix Review - Fighting the System

This Netflix documentary shows us a true crime story of an Alabama mother who killed her rapist and created a buzz because of her “stand your ground “defense.

Brittany was a divorced mother who had lost the right to be with her kids because of her addiction problems. But even though she relapsed multiple times, she did not give up and tried to come out clean and prove to the system that she is of no harm to her children. Everything for once was going in her favor, and she was all ready to accept her kids back home. She even decided to get her kids a puppy, and that’s when she meets an old acquaintance of hers called Todd Smith. After meeting him a certain incident happens, and we see her in a lot bigger trouble than she ever was.

Her case became quite a hot topic when she claimed that the murder was done for self-protection. This documentary is short compared to the usual ones that Netflix gives us. By watching this documentary which is only 40 minutes, we get a detailed understanding of both Britany and her family’s take on what happened that particular day. Even though there isn’t much original footage there are interviews with a journalist, an investigator, and also dear ones of Brittany and Todd which will help us understand this case even better.

The uniqueness of this case is that the viewers might have different opinions on the case. The documentary does not lead us to one single conclusion. Of course, the documentary does cover the whole case, but the case is unique that it makes the documentary an interesting watch. As we watch different aspects, the documentary will make us curious about what we should believe. The judge who handles the case doesn’t believe Brittany due to certain factors, but some of the points put forward to us through this interview might make us want to believe Brittany.

The documentary is very much simple. Even though the ending or certain aspects might look like it is the viewers who have to ultimately take sides upon their understanding, the documentary never fails to provide us with a simple explanation. The documentary also points out the laws which are only applicable to white men in the State of Alabama. This will make us question the state and will put us in a situation where we will have to choose a stand between the system of the State and Brittany.

Overall, it is a good documentary that gives us the right information in such a compact period. It doesn’t drag out and also does not provide us with unnecessary information. And due to this, the documentary will be able to gain our attention throughout. Through this documentary, we will not only understand Brittany’s case, but we will also earn some knowledge about how women are treated unequally in the law.

Final Score – [8.5/10]
Reviewed by - Poornima Balsu
Follow @BalsuPoornima on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times