Ok, I have finally got down to viewing The investigation of Lucy Letby movie reviews Netflix has been talking about, and, frankly speaking? I have thoughts. The documentary, which is based on the case of a British neonatal nurse Lucy Letby who was convicted of killing seven babies and allegedly trying to kill seven more, is a fascinating documentary that you should not miss. However, this is where the trick comes that fills my head with all sorts of things: the documentary is not just a simple she-did-it story.
It is an intricate, occasionally baffling, examination of the facts, the hospital and the justice system. Having watched more true-crime documentaries than I would like to admit, I can say with certainty that this one is not like any of the previous ones. It made more questions than answers and I would like to take you through the very reason why this movie is making such a commotion.
My First Impressions of The Investigation of Lucy Letby on Netflix
The last thing I wanted when I pressed play was the typical formula of a true-crime show. This is the same formula, creepy music, dramatic role plays, and a deep-throated narrator telling you who the villain is. But this film? It is quiet. It is slow. And I had not even known what to think during the first half-an-hour. It is based on the unseen police footage and the real interviews as the documentary is built, brick by the brick.
I must tell you the truth: I felt out of place. Something about it seems to be wrong about seeing the actual footage of the arrest within the home of the parents of Lucy Letby. You see her in her pajamas. You see her hugging her cat. You can hear in the background her mom crying. It is raw, and it is real.
I have not come here to tell whether Lucy is guilty or not- it is up to the courts to decide. Nevertheless, as a viewer, I was getting the impression that I was peeking into the night-mares of a person and I was not quite sure that I was allowed to be there.
You may also read :- The Electric State (2025): An Honest Movie Review
Why This Case Still Haunts Us?
The case of Lucy Letby is not another crime case. It entails infants, hospitals and trust. It is being taught that nurses are angels. Those are the individuals, whom we entrust our lives and the lives of our children to. The only reason it makes us tremble when we hear that the person in that uniform is accused of such horrendous stuff.
The documentary has done a wonderful job of outlining the reason this case was of world concern. It is not only the failure of one individual but the failure of a system to safeguard the weakest segment.
The Investigation of Lucy Letby Movie Reviews Netflix: What Critics Are Saying

I have read the review of The investigation of Lucy Letby movie written by Netflix and, man, criticisms are all around. Some love it. Some hate it. I will decipher what the professionals are saying.
Other critics describe the film as being restrained and disquieting. They claim that it does not have the common true crime melodramas but emphasizes the investigation itself. I get that. The movie wastes much time in reading medical documents, work schedules and police meetings. It is as though you are in a meeting with the detectives and are attempting to assemble a puzzle.
But not everyone is happy. Evening Standard referred to it as a morally heinous application of AI slop. Ouch, right? They claim that the documentary does not bring anything new and simply repeats known facts. And honestly? I can see their point. Here you are not going to get a good deal new, unless you took the news during the trials. It is good overview but to an outsider it is solid.
Inside the Documentary: The Two Sides of the Story
The Prosecution's Case Against Lucy Letby
- The initial part of the documentary creates the argument against Letby bit by bit. Here is what they present:
- The Timing: Letby was at work nearly the whole time at the collapses and downfalls.
- The Notes: Letby made notes in which he wrote things such as I am evil, I did this.
- The Pattern: The deaths ceased when Letby was taken off the unit.
The police officers in the movie appear assured. They discuss the construction of their case, and why they think that she is guilty. The documentary also features the interviews with Dr. Dewi Evans, a consulting pediatrician prosecution who details the medical evidence.
The Defense and the Doubts
However, this is where it becomes tricky. The documentary reverses about half way through. Then suddenly we hear of individuals who challenge the decision.
The barrister of Letby, Mark McDonald, seems to clarify the reason why they continue appealing against the conviction. Next, there is the case of Dr. Shoo Lee, a Canadian neonatologist who claims that the prosecution misunderstood his academic article. He simply states that the deaths might have been brought by natural cause or incompetent medical practices.
Even one of the consultants of the hospital, Dr. John Gibbs, confesses that he feels a tiny guilty feeling that they could have wrongly identified the wrong person. He replies, I do not believe there was an injustice, but you are afraid that nobody himself would see her commit it. That quote stuck with me. It embodies the vagueness of it all.
The Investigation of Lucy Letby Movie Reviews Netflix: The Human Cost
The Parents' Pain
Let's talk about the families. An anonymized mother is telling her story about losing her baby with the help of AI. She is grieving, albeit not her face. However, the documentary also contains evidence that Letby parents claim to have no consent. Lucy has parents, Susan and John Letby, who made a statement that the film is a full invasion of privacy. They did not even suspect that the footage of police bodycams recorded in their home would be a part of a Netflix show.
I just cannot forget about that. Suppose it is the worst day in your life. Now consider that millions of strangers are watching it to have entertainment. The fact that she (Lucy) committed a wrong does not mean that her parents did nothing. They are victims too, in a way.
Also read:- Guide to the Tudum 2025 Event: All the Best Movie Review
The Hospital Culture and the Nurses
The discussion of the hospital culture was one of the things about the documentary that struck me as totally open-eyed. One of the friends of Letby has explained to her how the neonatal unit had cliques and how certain nurses were ostracized. Some colleagues were reported to ignore Letby. Was she being set up? Was she a scapegoat? Or was that omission the over-step to her? This is not answered in the documentary, but it is brought up.
Expert Opinions on the Netflix Documentary
I desired to introduce a bit of professionalism into this blog and hence I searched what the real true-crime professionals are saying.
Emma Kenny is a presenter and a true crime filmmaker who made some intelligent remarks. Then she replied, all documentaries are editorial decisions and not neutral descriptions. They are more inclined toward their predetermined voices and professional opinions as a means of establishing consistency and emotional expressiveness to the viewer.
This does not flow out of the information provided, but it does imply that audiences should not lose sight of the fact that they are watching a constituted interpretation, rather than a full evidential record.
Such a crucial fact. We also enjoy watching documentaries and believe that we are receiving the entire truth. However we are receiving a version of the truth of someone. According to the director, Dominic Sivyer, his intention was to work out a powerful emotionally informative image. Notice that he did not say neutral or absolutely factual. He mentioned emotionally appealing. That tells you everything.
Why You Should Watch with Caution?
Watching the movie reviews Netflix The investigation of Lucy Letby movie reviews be it with your eyes open is an option. Here is my advice:
- Keep in mind that it is a story: The filmmakers selected what should be mentioned and what should be omitted.
- The artificial intelligence is distracting: Just be prepared to it.
- No resolution, the documentary does not provide a clean solution to you.
I believe that is actually the point. Not all cases have clear cut solutions. The movie does not give the viewer the sense of order and a perfect resolution that actual crime stories usually offer. You will be frustrated by that, but you may well think.
The Bigger Picture: True Crime and Ethics
This documentary provokes great questions of the true crime genre. Are we but fattening at the mouth of a ghastly interest in tragedy? . Are we encroaching upon bereavement sightseeing? These questions are obliged by the Letby documentary as the decisions are too clear, the AI confronts, the police recordings, the family outcries.
One of the critics remarked, Documentaries lack the capacity to endure cynicism. The credibility of the genre becomes ruined once the audience begins to doubt the authenticity of interviews. When we see such movie we are forced to believe that what we are viewing is a reality. The AI faces break that trust.
My Final Thoughts on The Investigation of Lucy Letby
That is why, having spent 90 minutes watching, reading reviews, and thinking it through, what does my overall opinion about The investigation of Lucy Letby movie reviews Netflix has been swearing about?
I believe it is a poorly made yet valuable movie. It isn't perfect. The AI technology is a miscarriage. At some points, the structure is baffling. And it certainly will not please the person who seeks clear answers. But it does something courageous: it gives us an understanding of how complex real justice may be.
Lucy Letby has been sentenced to 15 life sentences. Twice has she been denied an appeal. And still there are well-known authorities who tell us that there is weak evidence. The documentary perfectly reflects such tension. It does not give you what to think. It shows you the mess.
Watching it, do not watch it to have fun. Watch it to realize how difficult it is to discover the truth. Watch it to be reminded of the dead babies and the families that have lost. And have a critical eye upon, since after all that is what real crime ought to do: to think, not to feel only.
Have you seen the documentary? What crossed your mind regarding the AI faces? Pop in a comment- I would be happy to know your opinion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is The Investigation of Lucy Letby on Netflix worth watching?
A: If you are interested in true crime and complex cases, yes. But go in knowing it won't give you easy answers. The documentary is more about the investigation process than proving guilt or innocence.
Q: Why are there AI faces in the Netflix documentary?
A: The filmmakers used AI to "digitally anonymize" two contributors who wanted to protect their identities. It was meant to keep their emotions visible while hiding who they are .
Q: Did Lucy Letby's parents agree to the police footage being used?
A: No. Susan and John Letby said they had no idea the bodycam footage from inside their home would be in the documentary. They called it an "invasion of privacy" .
Q: What do the reviews say about The Investigation of Lucy Letby?
A: Reviews are mixed. Some praise it for being restrained and thoughtful. Others criticize it for using AI and offering no new information .
Q: Is Lucy Letby still in prison?
A: Yes. She is serving 15 whole-life orders at HMP Bronzefield. She has tried to appeal twice and been denied both times .
Q: Does the documentary say Lucy Letby is innocent?
A: No. It presents both sides of the case. It includes prosecution experts who believe she is guilty and defense arguments that question the evidence .