Netflix Revisits the Jussie Smollett Case in New Documentary
Netflix has released the trailer for The Truth About Jussie Smollett?, a documentary that promises to reexamine one of the most polarizing legal and cultural stories of recent years. The project raises new questions about the case that divided public opinion since 2019.
The new documentary, produced by RAW for Netflix, revisits the events surrounding actor Jussie Smollett’s claim that he was the victim of a racist and homophobic hate crime in Chicago on January 29, 2019. The case quickly escalated into a national flashpoint, with many initially expressing outrage before police alleged the attack had been staged.
Smollett, best known for his role on Empire, reported that two men attacked him while shouting racial and homophobic slurs, placed a noose around his neck, and poured an unknown chemical substance on him. He also claimed they shouted “This is MAGA country.” Weeks later, Chicago police identified Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, two brothers who had worked as extras on Empire, as participants, stating that Smollett had paid them to orchestrate the attack.
The legal battle that followed was complicated and controversial. Smollett was charged with filing a false police report, but the charges were initially dropped after a bond forfeiture and community service deal. A special prosecutor later re-indicted him on six counts of felony disorderly conduct, and in December 2021, he was convicted on five counts. He served only six days of his 150-day sentence before being released pending appeal.
A dramatic twist came on November 21, 2024, when the Illinois Supreme Court overturned his conviction, ruling that his constitutional rights had been violated by being prosecuted a second time after charges were dropped. The court stopped short of declaring him innocent, instead framing the decision around due process. This ruling has added fresh layers to an already complex story.
The trailer for The Truth About Jussie Smollett? highlights these contradictions, asking who can truly be trusted: Smollett himself, the Chicago Police Department, or the legal system that handled the case. It teases previously unseen evidence and perspectives, positioning the documentary as a potential turning point in how the public understands the saga.
Netflix has a track record of provocative true-crime projects, including Don’t F**k with Cats and The Tinder Swindler. With this new release, the platform appears to be aiming for another cultural lightning rod, one that revisits unresolved questions about race, sexuality, media narratives, and the justice system.
The documentary also raises broader concerns about the role of public opinion in shaping legal narratives. From social media outrage to cable news coverage, the Smollett case became a prism through which America debated truth, victimhood, and credibility in the age of outrage. Whether this new film vindicates Smollett or deepens doubts, it will almost certainly reignite debate.
