Netflix’s new documentary The Truth About Jussie Smollett?? (premiered Aug. 22, 2025) forces viewers to reexamine the 2019 incident by assembling fresh interviews, police evidence and Smollett’s own account. Directors and critics note the film refuses a tidy verdict: it includes Smollett on camera, lawyers and Chicago officials, new context about the Osundairo brothers, and a late piece of footage that different viewers interpret in opposite ways. Below are seven verifiable revelations from major coverage that explain what the documentary adds — and why the case remains unsettled in 2025.
What Netflix’s Smollett Doc Reveals In 7 Quick Facts Today
Key Facts:
- Jussie Smollett Appears On Camera, Sticking To His 2019 Account (Netflix, Aug. 22, 2025).
- Illinois Supreme Court Overturned Smollett’s Conviction In Nov. 2024; No Retrial Allowed.
- Filmmaker Gagan Rehill Says He Stayed Open‑Minded; Screenings Produce Divergent Views.
- Doc Includes New Evidence Footage That Audiences And Police Interpret Differently.
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Smollett appears in the film and maintains the same account he’s given since 2019.
Multiple outlets confirm Smollett’s on‑camera interviews in the Netflix film, where he reiterates his version of the attack and adds details not previously public. Reporters note the documentary foregrounds his insistence on innocence rather than producing a definitive exoneration. (Sources: The Hollywood Reporter, Variety)
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A key legal date — Nov. 2024 — reshaped who can be held accountable.
The Hollywood Reporter documents that the Illinois Supreme Court overturned Smollett’s 2021 conviction in November 2024 and barred retrial, a legal development the documentary places at the center of its narrative and public debate.
#3 New Emphasis On The Osundairo Brothers’ Immunity Claims
The film revisits the original allegation that friends were paid and given immunity.
Reporting confirms the documentary spotlights the Osundairo brothers’ role and the claim that they cooperated with police after being offered leniency on separate charges. Filmmakers frame this as core to Smollett’s defense and to lingering doubts about what happened.
#4 A Late Piece Of Footage Forces Two Competing Readings
Critics say one final clip turns the film into a Rorschach test for viewers.
Variety and other reviews describe a late-in‑film sequence: some viewers see a white figure exiting a cab, while Chicago police say the clip shows the Osundairo brothers. The film leaves that moment ambiguous, prompting different conclusions.
#5 Director Gagan Rehill Intentionally Keeps The Film Open‑Ended
The director says the point was to provoke debate, not deliver a verdict.
The Hollywood Reporter quotes Rehill: “I want … viewers to have a conversation, a debate about that themselves,” and he explains he deliberately refrained from forcing his own conclusion, aiming instead to surface conflicting evidence and reactions.
#6 The Doc Highlights Eroded Trust In Police And Media Coverage
Reviewers argue the story became larger than the facts because institutions failed.
Review coverage notes the film examines how mistrust of Chicago police and media coverage magnified the case, with commentators like Josie Duffy Rice cited for contextual analysis on public confidence and narrative distortion.
#7 When You Can Watch The Doc — Trailer And Streaming Details
Netflix released the film Aug. 22, 2025, and promoted it with an official trailer.
Variety and The Hollywood Reporter confirm the Netflix premiere date and that promotional trailers and clips are available online. The official Netflix trailer is the primary video preview for the documentary and frames the central questions the film raises.
3 Key Dates And Figures That Reframe The Smollett Documentary
| KPI | Value + Unit | Change/Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Premiere Date | Aug 22, 2025 | Documentary Reignites 2019 Case |
| Runtime | 90 minutes | Feature-Length, Focused Narrative |
| Court Ruling Date | Nov 2024 | Conviction Overturned; No Retrial |
The film’s release, 90‑minute format, and the Nov. 2024 ruling concentrate public attention and legal finality.
What These 7 Revelations Mean For Smollett’s Reputation And Public Debate
The documentary does not settle “what happened” but reframes the Smollett saga as a continuing cultural test about trust: legal closure (Nov. 2024) collided with new footage and Smollett’s own testimony, producing renewed argument instead of final answers. Expect more media debate, renewed social discussion, and potential follow‑ups from critics and local reporters.
Sources
- https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/jussie-smollett-truth-in-new-netflix-documentary-1236348143/
- https://variety.com/2025/tv/reviews/jussie-smollett-netflix-documentary-1236488562/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSfAsfU7Nu0
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Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.