The true-crime documentaryAmerican Manhunt: OJ Simpsonis currently the number one TV show on Netflix, and it’s the perfect reminder to watch another series on Hulu about OJ Simpson’s infamous double murder trial.American Manhuntquickly became one of thebest documentaries on Netflix, and its popularity reflected its quality. The OJ Simpson-focused documentary reached the pinnacle of Netflix’s top ten shows list, and it could soon become one of thebest true-crime shows on Netflix. It even proved that almost 30 years later, Simpson’s shocking double murder trial is still capable of capturing the nation’s attention.
The only problem withAmerican Manhunt: OJ Simpsonis that it ends. After just four episodes, the documentary wrapped up all of its insights into Simpson’s trial and eventual acquittal. Luckily, Hulu has the perfect follow-up series to supplementAmerican Manhunt, and it features 10 hour-long episodes that are all available to stream right now. There’s never been a better time to dive into the drama of OJ Simpson’s criminal trial, and there’s never been a better time to start watching Ryan Murphy’sAmerican Crime Story: The People v. OJ Simpson.
After Netflix’s American Manhunt Documentary, Watch Ryan Murphy’s American Crime Story: The People v. OJ Simpson
American Crime Story Is A Dramatization Of American Manhunt’s True Story About OJ Simpson
Years beforeAmerican Manhuntexamined OJ Simpson’s trial, FX’sAmerican Crime Story: The People v. OJ Simpsondid it first, and the latter show is available to stream on Hulu. WhereAmerican Manhunttook a more analytical approach and presented the facts, backstory, and key figures of Simpson’s trial,American Crime Storyfocused more on the drama and tensions the court case evoked in both its participants and the nation as a whole. That makesThe People v. OJ Simpsonthe perfect follow-up to Netflix’s documentary: it fills in the gapsAmerican Manhunt’s investigative tone couldn’t fully convey.
Why American Crime Story: The People v. OJ Simpson’s Reviews Are So Great
The People v. OJ Simpson Has 97% On Rotten Tomatoes
Another compelling reason to watchAmerican Crime Story: The People v. OJ Simpsonis because it has incredible reviews.The People v. OJ Simpsonearned 97% with critics and 94% with audiences onRotten Tomatoes, so it’s safe to say it received rave reviews. Deborah Ross of theDaily Mailwrote “The writing is sharp. It is blissfully directed, without a single wasted scene.” Robert Bianco of USA Today said “Against all odds, this tightly written, sometimes stunningly performed 10-part drama avoids all those pitfalls, capturing the tenor of the time and breathing life into the participants.”
American Crime Storyis an anthology show. The first season,The People v. OJ Simpson, is the only one to cover Simpson’s double murder trial. The following two seasons cover the assassination of Gianni Versace and the impeachment of President Bill Clinton, respectively.
Across the board, virtually all the reviews forThe People v. OJ Simpsonpraised the show’s ability to take a subject that was already intensely examined and bring it to life in a new century.Many reviewers singled out Ryan Murphy’s writing and directorial style as a unique blend of drama and factual accuracy, and even more praised Cuba Gooding Jr.’s ability to live in the role of OJ Simpson. The series was also extremely well-timed: many critics noted how relevant the trial’s focus on race was in 2016 and still is today.American Crime Storyfired on all cylinders, and it’s well worth watching.
How Accurate American Crime Story: The People v. OJ Simpson Is To The True Story
American Crime Story Did Dramatize Some Parts Of OJ Simpson’s Trial, But Almost All Of It Was Based On Actual Events
Though it is a dramatization rather than a documentary,American Crime Story: The People v. OJ Simpsonis remarkably faithful to the true facts of Simpson’s court case. Part of that is due to the outlandish nature of the true facts of the trial: as Laurie Levenson, former prosecutor and law professor, put it, the entire ordeal was a “circus,” (viaCBS News).
“Everything about this case was different. The lawyers, how they acted in the courtrooms, the petty fights between the prosecutors and defense attorneys; the jurors, how long they were sequestered, how they got a Roger Williams concert; the media circus, and it really was a circus.”
American Crime Storyalso paid close attention to several key details of Simpson’s trial, such as thereason OJ Simpson was acquittedand other details likehow long Simpson’s trial lastedand who the biggest figures involved were. Executive producer Brad Simpson told Entertainment Weekly that the biggest thing they had to change about the trial was its timeline. “If we’re gonna get dinged, it’s because we have to consolidate things. It’s a dramatic retelling. We’ve consolidated time. We’ve consolidated characters. But in terms of the truth of what happened, I feel like we’ve been really honest.”
How Many People Watched The OJ Simpson Trial Verdict Live
The verdict of OJ Simpson’s murder trial was one of the most-watched moments in American television history, but how many people actually tuned in?
Of course, however, as a drama series,American Crime Story: The People v. OJ Simpsonalso had to embellish some parts of OJ Simpsons' trial for the sake of creating tension and intrigue. Perhaps the biggest changes were to Robert Kardashian’s involvement in OJ Simpson’s defense and to one specific moment in court. Kardashian was more of a minor player on the so-called “dream team” that made up Simpson’s defense attorneys, though he’s a main character in the show (viaCBS). It also exaggerated Bill Hodgman’s heart problems, changing chest pains in a strategy meeting to a full-on collapse in the middle of the courtroom.
American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson
Cast
American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson is a documentary series examining the infamous O.J. Simpson case. Released in 2025, it delves into the murder trial that captivated global audiences, exploring its cultural impact and enduring legacy.
