Documentary dives into Jussie Smollett saga, six years on

OVER six years since the alleged hate crime against a Hollywood superstar shocked the globe, The Truth About Jussie Smollett is leaving streamers on the edges of their seats.

- KARISHMA DIPA.

The new Netflix documentary from director Gagan Rehill, who also helmed Louis Theroux's Altered States and Rise of the Billionaires chronicles the years-long legal battle involving actor Jussie Smollett who, in 2019, alleged that he was attacked near downtown Chicago by two white masked men.

The Empire star has maintained that the men hurled racial and homophobic slurs against him, but the Chicago police department has insisted that Smollett staged the altercation in a bid to boost his career as well as his aspirations of being a “poster boy for activism”.

These opposing views made for an intense encounter which resulted in high-profile court cases and salacious allegations made on both sides as the entertainment world was shaken by the scandal.

But what truly elevates this story, which continues to garner headlines years after it left the world seeking what really happened on that freezing early hours of a weekday morning, is the diverse range of contributors.

The one that stands out is Smollett who speaks directly to the incident while affirming that he was a victim of a heinous attack. During intimate confessionals, the actor also delves into the emotional toll it has had on his career as well as his mental state.

The film marks the first time Smollett has spoken publicly about the case since his interview with ABC News correspondent Robin Roberts shortly after the alleged attack.