A new Netflix documentary, The Truth About Jussie Smollett?, from the makers of The Tinder Swindler, revisits the 2019 case of the actor who claimed he was the victim of a hate crime. The film presents the possibility that Smollett was framed by the Chicago police, but critics have dismissed it as 'icky, irresponsible television' and 'utter nonsense'.
The documentary opens with the initial outpouring of support for Smollett, then best known for his role in Empire, after he reported being attacked by two white men who poured bleach on him and tied a noose around his neck. However, the case unravelled when police alleged the attack was a hoax staged by Smollett with the help of two acquaintances, brothers Akimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo.
The film features interviews with Smollett, who maintains his innocence, and the Osundairos, who claim they were paid to stage the attack. It also includes testimony from former Chicago police superintendent Eddie Johnson, who highlights inconsistencies in Smollett's story, such as why he would leave his home in freezing weather to buy a Subway sandwich that survived the alleged attack.
Smollett was initially charged with staging the hoax, but the charges were dropped after a plea deal. He was later retried and convicted, but the conviction was overturned on double jeopardy grounds. The documentary's final act focuses on conspiracy theories suggesting the police framed Smollett, but reviewers note it lacks credible evidence and relies on conjecture.
