Review of Into the Abyss (2011) by Eric R — 16 Nov 2011

Let me just start off by saying that I believe it has been awhile since Werner Herzog has made a film that was on the same caliber of the earlier work in his career. Herzog's new film ' Into The Abyss' is an exploration of a triple homicide that occured in Conroe, Texas about 20 years ago.

Herzog's film isnt so much about the crime as it is about the human psyche and as cliche as it sounds, life and death. In intimate conversations with both the men responsible for this heinous act, the victims friends and family, and various justice officials familiar with the case.

Some may write this film off as nothing more than as a simple crime documentary, and it is to a degree, but Herzog peers into the human psyche. Werner Herzog has created a fascinating, poetic, hypnotic film that through Herzog's eyes, is a story about life itself.

He isn't candid about his opinions on the death penalty, or the criminal system, but the film is never misleading and shows both sides of the argument. Through tons of interviews, stock footage and Herzog narration, the film explores the events leading up to and following this grisly crime.

I found the film to be emotionally exhausting, particularly scenes where Herzog interviews one of the murders father, who himself is in jail for 40 years, where the man completely opens up about how much regret he has.

I don't really know what to say besides this is a documentary that should not be missed!