Netflix slammed over ‘unforgivable’ act in hit true crime doco

Eagle-eyed viewers have spotted some bizarre details in Netflix’s latest hit true crime doco – and they’re outraged at what they’ve found.

Netflix slammed over ‘unforgivable’ act in hit true crime doco What Jennifer Did

What Jennifer Did, the new Netflix true crime documentary surrounding convicted murderer Jennifer Pan, quickly made its way into Netflix’s Top 10 films since its release this month. However, a new report from Futurism reveals that the doc may have employed pictures of Pan that were manipulated by artificial intelligence.

Pan was convicted of a kill-for-hire conspiracy against her parents in 2010, which resulted in the death of her mother and dire injuries for her father, including a medically-induced coma.

At approximately 28 minutes into the film, viewers meet Pan’s high school friend, Nam Nguyen, who recalls his relationship with Pan and says that “she was great to talk to.”

Details on Pan’s face in this photo aroused suspicion from viewers.

“Jennifer, you know, was bubbly, happy, confident, and very genuine,” he explains, as three pictures of Pan appear in succession.

The latter two pictures in particular have come under scrutiny: items in the background of one picture, in which Pan is holding up two peace signs, appear distorted. Her fingers and hands also look altered.

In the third picture, one of her front teeth appears much longer than the other, her left ear looks warped, and her right cheek has a gap in it, per PetaPixel.

Another photo shown on screen during the doco.

According to 404 Media, the use of AI is not acknowledged in the doc’s credits, either.

Decider reached out to Netflix for comment, but did not hear back by time of publication.

Viewers on social media have reacted angrily to the revelations.

“Netflix using generative AI images in a true crime doc is extremely irresponsible and exactly what archivists are telling documentaries not to do,” one person wrote.

“What Jennifer Did seemingly created or altered images using AI, which creates a false historical record,” said another.

Viewers have slammed the use of A.I. in a true crime doco.

Another viewer called the use of undisclosed AI images “unforgivable, especially in the true-crime space.”

“The filmmakers should be absolutely ashamed of themselves,” another person fumed.

This certainly isn’t the first time that keen observers have brought attention to AI being employed in a film. Other projects have come under fire for the use of AI, such as the recent cinema release Late Night with the Devil.

This story originally appeared on Decider and is republished here with permission.

Originally published as Netflix slammed over ‘unforgivable’ act in hit true crime doco