Documented

Written by Brandon Young

Warning – This review may contain spoilers.

Documented follows the disturbing story of a father-son duo, Ted and Cole, who have spent years as serial killers, with Cole documenting their crimes through his camera. Known as “The Butcher,” the pair’s reign of terror spans the 70s and 80s. As Cole grows older, the central conflict arises—his desire for independence comes into direct conflict with his father’s need to keep their twisted partnership intact. The camera, which Cole uses to capture their gruesome exploits, becomes a key symbol of control, documenting not only their crimes but the evolving power struggle between father and son. The theme of generational trauma runs deep, and the psychological tension is palpable as Cole begins to question his future in the shadow of his father’s influence.

I found the concept of Documented fascinating, especially how it explores the darker sides of family loyalty and control. The relationship between Ted and Cole is at the heart of the story, and their conflict drives much of the tension. However, it’s hard to feel a true emotional connection to either character, given their psychopathic tendencies. While I appreciated the unique take on a father-son serial killer team, the script lacks that emotional depth that might make the audience care more about Cole’s internal conflict. The subplot involving Cole’s relationship with Amber had the potential to bring some complexity to his character but ended up feeling underdeveloped, which weakened the emotional impact.

I thought the screenplay was well-formatted overall, with few issues when it came to grammar, spelling, or punctuation. That said, the heavy focus on camera angles and placement really pulled me out of the narrative at times. I understand that the camera plays a big role in the story, almost becoming a character itself, but it felt a bit too directive. I found myself distracted by the overuse of camera descriptions, which detracted from the scenes rather than adding to them.

The story’s pacing felt solid for the most part, though there were moments where I wanted to know more about the backstory between Ted and Cole. Understanding more about how Cole got to this point—being raised by a serial killer—would have made his character arc even more compelling. I also felt that more could be done to develop the generational trauma theme. There are hints at Ted’s past and the violent legacy passed down, but expanding on that would give the story more emotional weight.

I think Documented is a gripping horror story with a unique angle. It’s a bold concept and I can see it working well during a table read, especially for audiences who are drawn to psychological horror and family conflict.