Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills

TV-MA

Released Jan 18, 1996

2h 30m

Documentary

List

100%

27 Reviews

Tomatometer

94%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Three teenagers are accused of this horrific crime of killing three children, supposedly as a result of involvement in Satanism. As in their previous documentary, things turn out to be more complex than initial appearances and this film presents the real-life courtroom drama to the viewer, as it unfolds.

Read More

Read Less

Prime Video

Rent Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills on Prime Video, or buy it on Prime Video.

Globe and Mail

Rated: 3/4

Apr 12, 2002

Full Review

Marjorie Baumgarten

Austin Chronicle

Rated: 4/5

Feb 14, 2001

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

The film creates a vivid portrait of a subculture in which Satan is a central figure.

Rated: 4/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Michael Atkinson

Spin

Both a chronicle of death and retribution and, as the title suggests, a portrait of the American dream gone gamy.

Dec 27, 2022

Full Review

Brian D. Johnson

Maclean's Magazine

As a dispassionate portrait of an America where the Devil is still a credible force, and everyone seems corrupt, the film does not just expose horror. It delivers viewers into a garden of evil, and forces them to choose their own demons.

Oct 30, 2019

Full Review

David Keyes

Cinemaphile.org

What a sad commentary on humanity and the flawed justice system it relies on.

Sep 17, 2013

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post-Apocalyptic T

FYI—this is actually Part 1 of a 3-part series that takes place over the course of nearly 20 years. My review is based on the entire series: For most of the series, you're angry and disgusted by how unjustly these teenagers are being treated. And when you're not angry, you're horrified by the behavior of the victims' parents who are all completely unhinged. Not unhinged because of their grief over losing a child, but unhinged because they were all so incredibly unstable to begin with. Then there are times when the series is hilarious because of the antics of one of the victims' step-fathers. But then you remember that you're not watching a Saturday Night Live sketch. This man is not trying to be funny. He is just so profoundly mentally ill and improperly medicated that he thinks what he's doing/saying is on the level. The whole case is heartbreaking for all 6 of the victims—the 3 children who were brutally murdered and the 3 teens who were wrongfully convicted. If it wasn't for HBO, Metallica, and The (Dixie) Chicks, 2 of those men would still be in prison today and Damien would've been executed by the state.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/18/23

Full Review

Jerod S

Before crime documentaries were the thing they are today, there was "Paradise Lost". 3 young boys murdered in a backwoods area leads to the arrest and conviction of 3 teen boys. Evidence is shaky...but these poor families are mentally not all there.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

Full Review

Joel C

A powerful and disturbing documentary that follows the three accused youths through the court process like no other doco I've seen. The questions and weight of the mystery involved with what actually happened is kinda mind blowing and keeps you guessing who's innocent and who's guilty. Filmed in the 90's it really captures the era before the wave of technological devices flooded our world. Personally, I'd hate to think the teens are guilty, or someone is still out there free to continue these horrendous acts, but who really knows the truth.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/04/21

Full Review

georgan g

Way too long and no different from other documentaries about this miscarriage of justice.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A more appropriate title would be Any Reasonable Doubt Lost... There is a follow up to this story.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A disturbing, unsettling documentary for a number of reasons. First is the shocking murder of three children and the documentary doesn't pull back from showing explicit photographs and footage of the children. Second is the legal system that prosecutes three teenage boys on the basis that they are a bit different to the rest of the conservative population. The film makers do not take an overt position on the guilt or innocence of the three boys but, as the story progresses, it becomes pretty obvious that the convictions are highly dubious. This story is yet another example of the US legal system often not working the way it should for those who different to the "norm". It is a riveting documentary. But be warned, there are some very difficult, challenging scenes.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Joe Berlinger

Director

Bruce Sinofsky

Director

Joe Berlinger

Actor

Bruce Sinofsky

Actor

Jessie Misskelly Sr.

Actor

Jason Baldwin

Actor

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

92%

84%

Revelations: Paradise Lost 2

100%

89%

4 Little Girls

100%

66%

Aileen Wuornos: The Selling of a Serial Killer

91%

84%

Fast, Cheap & Out of Control

69%

68%

The Brandon Teena Story

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

Three teenagers are accused of this horrific crime of killing three children, supposedly as a result of involvement in Satanism. As in their previous documentary, things turn out to be more complex than initial appearances and this film presents the real-life courtroom drama to the viewer, as it unfolds.

Director: Joe Berlinger, Bruce Sinofsky
Producer: Sheila Nevins
Production Co: Home Box Office (HBO)
Rating: TV-MA
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 18, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 12, 2013
Runtime: 2h 30m
Sound Mix: Stereo

Most Popular at Home Now