A new true crime documentary that has been described as “excruciating” has landed on Netflix.
The new documentary titled A Deadly American Marriage tells the harrowing story of Jason Corbett, an Irish man living in North Carolina who was killed in 2015.
Corbett and Molly Martens first met in 2008, when she worked as an au pair for his children.
Their relationship progressed quickly, and they were married in 2011. But just four years later, it ended in a violent altercation that would divide two families and two nations.
Molly and her father, Thomas Martens, who is a former FBI agent, were found guilty of second-degree murder in 2017, Time Magazine reported.
The father and daughter duo had claimed they acted in self-defense after Corbett allegedly attacked Martens during a confrontation in the family home. Thomas said he struck Corbett with a baseball bat to protect his daughter.
According to Metro, on August 2, 2015, Thomas made a 911 call reporting that Corbett had been seriously injured.
Prosecutors painted a picture of a brutal attack, while the defense maintained it was a tragic act of protection. The duo were convicted and sentenced to 20 to 25 years in prison, but the legal twists didn’t end there.
Their convictions were overturned in 2021. In 2023, both Molly and Thomas agreed to a plea deal, pleading guilty to reduced class D manslaughter charges. They were sentenced to 51 to 74 months in prison and were released in 2024, having served time during their legal battle.
The Netflix documentary dives deep into the years-long case, featuring interviews with those at the heart of the tragedy, including Molly and Thomas themselves, as well as Jason’s children, Jack and Sarah. The film offers a rare look at both sides of the deeply divided story.
Critics have already reacted strongly to the release. The Irish Times described the documentary as “shocking” and “excruciating,” particularly due to its exploration of the emotional toll the case took on Corbett's children.
The Irish Examiner said the series was "riveting" and added: "I found myself changing my mind more than once." Heaven of Horror called the series “a real rollercoaster ride,” praising it as “a well-made documentary that utilizes facts and presents the story of this true crime in a chronological way".
The film is directed by Jenny Popplewell and Jessica Burgess, who told Netflix’s Tudum platform that they were determined to handle the case with objectivity and sensitivity.
“This case demonstrates how complex the American justice system is,” they said. “Where is the truth? Where are the lies? Where is justice? This documentary demonstrates that it’s not clear-cut.”
They added: “From the very beginning, we approached both families. For the film to remain objective and balanced, we never discussed information we learned with either side.”
Many viewers have taken to social media to share their reactions to the chilling documentary.
One user on Reddit said: "Just finished this, absolutely gripping. I find it so hard to believe the Marten’s side of the story with the amount of PHYSICAL evidence presented."
Another shared: "I love how narcissistic murderers will fall for the Netflix trap... Every. Single. Time. Give them an opportunity to cry on screen, and they’ll take it, no matter how much they implicate themselves. Jack and Sarah deserve better. Molly and Tom can rot."
A Deadly American Marriage is now streaming on Netflix.