What Jennifer Did (2024) User Reviews

JCS Criminal Psychology did it better

[jbosnjak-15337 · 5/10 · 12 April 2024]

If you ask me, I think JCS did much better in composing this case and presenting it through the lense of criminal psychology.

It highlights the most important aspects of the case - all condensed into what Jennifer really thought the solution was. Also, with the bonus of not including the dramatic music in the background that Netflix features in every single crime doco.

I honestly thought watching the case again, this time around on Netflix, I might learn something more. However, after seeing it, Netflix doesn't measure up the slightest to what JCS presented.

For those curious, it's called Jennifer's Solution on YT.

Worth seeing, but a bit lifeless.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 6/10 · 11 April 2024]

Police receive a 911 call from Jennifer Pan, who explains that her parents have been shot at their family home.

First of all, what a drab production, I've just watched another Netflix documentary, Crime Scene Berlin, which was such a slick production, this one, for Netflix was so bland.

The story, it's an interesting one, but the narrative is just off somehow, I don't feel we learned very much at all, very little exploration of Jennifer's relationship with her parents, no alternative theories explored.

The actual footage of Jennifer's interviews is fascinating, and does make the film worth watching. You see some of the techniques used by The Police.

Personally, it must have been tough for her, her parents seemed pretty strict, but what she did, as the title gives away...... unforgivably.

It's a little overlong at 90 minutes long, you may find yourself yawning and fidgeting a little bit.

Worth seeing, but don't expect to be wowed.

6/10.

Just listen to Casefile: Case 50

[ozzyc · 6/10 · 14 April 2024]

Overall i enjoyed the documentary just expected a bit more.

I wondered why so many details were left out. Although I truly appreciated the actual footage and commentary I was surprised they chose to exclude some of the more interesting tidbits about the case

I had preciously listened to the 2 hour and 49 minute long Casefile (Episode 50) from 2017 podcast about this years ago and wish they would have included more into this documentary. Casefiles version was so good.

I also recently watched the JCS: Criminal Psychology episode (Jennifer's Solution). It was good also.

I would definitely recommend watching and listening to both of those to get your true crime fix.

Lame

[ThatDoesntMatter · 12 April 2024]

Well, what DID Jennifer do?

We don't really get to know.

She somehow set in motion that three men with (one, two, three?) guns could enter her house that she shared with her parents.

Through her ex-boyfriend she got in contact with them. So he's a co-conspirator. We gather. Because there was a short bit about text messages between her and him.

She unlocked the front door. She lied to the police.

She concocted stories, and phone-harrassed her ex.

That's what she did. Oh, and not go to uni but telling her parents she did. What she did instead was not revealed, though the officer SAID he'd like to know.

When did she contact Homeboy (home invader no. 1), how many times, did they communicate afterwards.....no details given at all. No timeline, just Day 1, 2, etc. Until she is arrested.

The police interviews were interesting, but I don't need Netflix for those. Some input of officers etc. Involved was interesting, therefore 5 stars.

But not worth watching the whole thing for. There was no real background, nothing went in depth, nothing new revealed at all.

It was sketchy, superficial, unnecessary. 48 Hours does it better. Much better.

Despite my criticisms it is a gripping watch!!

[Guanche48 · 7/10 · 12 April 2024]

To begin with, the title does not seem well thought out to me at all, and it is not the only thing that is done poorly in this documentary.

I think that this crime story from Canada will appeal primarily to people interested in true crime documentaries, but I must admit as a fan of crime stories, that this one is really dull. They are too many unexplained details, what a disappointment. DNA tests are missing in the house, etc etc..etc..etc .. The most frustrating thing is not having investigated her phone records earlier, incomprehensible! It makes no sense to me.

There are also many repetitive things, to fill time I imagine.

A great part consists of showing archival footage of interviews that Jennifer had with investigators at the Markham police station. Jennifer's father, who is still alive, spoke to police after he came out of his coma, but he's a very minor player in this story and it would have been fascinating to hear more from him. .. I can go on..

There is much more material that they could have used to make a much more interesting and complete documentary, with more respect and responsibility as it should be in these cases. The end seems rushed and a little unclear for me.

For true crime fans who are looking for a quick and interesting crime story, it's worth watching! . It manages to entertaing with some surprising details and twists into it's short running time.

Pressure from Parents

[DVK1234 · 7/10 · 10 April 2024]

The pressure from Jennifer Pan's parents for Jennifer to succeed and to choose a man for herself that did not have a criminal record ultimately resulted in Jennifer Pan doing the unthinkable: to put a hit out on her own parents. I understand that the pressure must have been difficult. According to her friend, she was not a straight A student. The Pans expected her to be a pharmacist, but it seems like she did not get accepted into pharmacy, and then her conditional offer from Ryerson was rescinded when she failed Grade 13 calculus. I absolutely feel sorry that the pressure was obviously too much for this girl, but her actions are still pure evil. She wanted what she wanted: the loser drug dealer boyfriend, her parents' cash. Only a wicked, wicked person could stand in the same room with her parents' murderers and chat with them as if nothing untoward or evil was going on. It makes me wonder what came first, her wickedness, or her being influenced by Daniel Wong into a criminal life for from which she could never turn back?

The end of the film says that she and her co-accused have been allowed a retrial. None of these reprobates she ever see the light of day. Ever again.

Expected outcome but a good doc nonetheless

[valacitymiller · 7/10 · 11 April 2024]

I have seen my fair share of docs. They become a bit predictable. I define a good documentary good if it can hold my attention. This held my attention because Jennifer was a really bad liar and I was invested on exactly how she'd start to crumble. I do feel bad that all the pressure she felt lead her to desperation was her reality but she really wasn't right in the head. The investigators did a good job at not giving up. I wonder why they didn't release photos of the other two involved tho? It gets a 7 because I didn't play on my phone much but predictable guilty verdict. It would be nice to get a follow up from the dad and get a part 2 out of this. Thats just my documentary addicted self talking tho. I'm sure it's too traumatizing to have him talk about it.

Poor Jennifer

[brucewillisisaghost · 7/10 · 10 April 2024]

A tragic story of pressure to perform and too little love that leads to a terrible tragedy.

I sympathise with Jennifer, even though she lied and didn't often make the morally right decision. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

None of us have any insight into the family circumstances of the Pans. It is therefore impossible to judge "what Jennifer did". The law must decide whether she has broken the law. In any case, I feel very sorry for her and hope that she can find peace and love.

Netflix has actually managed to retell a tragic case in an exciting way without an agenda. In a pleasant running time. No gimmickry. Bravo.

Watch the JCS video instead

[noawareness · 4/10 · 12 April 2024]

Astounding how a large studio with a substantial budget, can't do it better than one guy making YouTube videos. Look up the JCS video on youtube. It's around the same length but goes into this from the criminal psychology angle and absolutely nails it. Netflix tried too hard (as they often do) to ramp up the drama and cinematography and in turn essentially fall flat when it comes to actually giving you what you want from a story like this.

The story of this horrific murder is organically dramatic enough that the erie music is completely unnecessary and takes a lot away from the organic darkness of this case.

Essentially, it's too long for how much it leaves to assumption and too dramatic for how much it takes away from the incident.

Watch the JCS video instead.

This Netflix Doc fills in Some Blanks!

[Mehki_Girl · 7/10 · 15 April 2024]

This case is well-known to me and, yes, I've seen the JCS channel on this.

I've also watched Investigation Discovery ID and other true crime channels on tv about this case.

This is what's good about the Netflix documentary: You get to hear from the detectives, see news reports, the highlights of Jennifer's interviews, interviews with the boyfriend, and crime scene photos.

Of all the docs I've seen, I've never seen interviews with Wong, news footage, interviews with investigators, or crime scene photos. Just voiceovers about the strictness of the parents and the interviews with her. In at least one doc you did see camera footage of suspicious dad tracking the daughter to a workplace where she claimed to be employed and that's about it.

Now maybe Netflix was aware of the takes already out there, so they went with another POV with the small amount of other footage available.

The doc is short and can easily be supplemented through the ID channel on TV or any number of true crime channels on YouTube.

If it delved deeper and longer, everyone would complain about padding and/or that it was too long and needed to be only, 90 minutes.

Well this doc is just that, about 90 minutes.

One thing of note is the lack of information about the other suspects. But they atleast showed Wong being interviewed and I've never seen anyone showing that. Never seen Nick on the other suspects either or even any court footage of any trials.

The other thing I noted was, everyone was an idiot. I mean the parents were clueless and just never saw that their daughter just wasn't as smart as their expectations, although she apparently was very good with the piano, but that's a different skill set.

Wong also was no genius. He gave everything away in his interview. Talked way too much, bringing up things that were never asked and directly making the cops suspicious of him and Jennifer. Neither asked for lawyers.

As far as I can see, no genius was in operation here from the parents to Jennifer to the bf and the 3 clowns that couldn't even shoot straight.

What a dumb mess. At no time did anyone tell Jennifer or did she tell herself, I'm an adult and I can walk away. The time and energy put into lying and creating false documents for 4 years could have actually gone into going to school and getting a decent job and moving out!

Yes, I know about the issues with parents and kids in Asian and immigrant cultures, but guess what, millions of people go out on their own every single day.

She had choices and chose the wrong one! Sad all around. Her diary indicated the pressures were more about her drug-dealing boyfriend than anything else. Abby parent would object!

Also, I think the Netflix doc gave is enough information about her motivation. Also, is never heard she tried to do it before! Not sure how much more Netflix could spell it out. She maintains her innocence to this day so no more information is coming forth. They all won retrials, too!

Netflix Fails At Telling The Most Important Parts Of The Story

[cadillac20 · 4/10 · 17 April 2024]

There's an interesting story here, one which numerous YouTube videos have covered, about a girl living in a suffocating home with high expectations who was clearly broken by the life she was forced to live. Instead, Netflix ops for the usual shock and awe, telling a fairly black and white story about a good girl living a life of lies who does everything to be a with a guy she couldn't be with. There's a lot of liberties taken with the story, to the point they don't even mention she has a brother. In the end, she's painted as this horrible monster when the story should have been focused on her home life, her relationship with her parents, and how this played into what happened. It feels dishonest, cold, and lacking. If you want to learn about this story, check YouTube and skip this doc.

Most saw JCS version first

[MickyG333 · 8/10 · 17 April 2024]

8.0 stars.

I'm coming from a place of unadulterated viewership. I never saw this "JCS" Youtube video they all talk about. So as I'm writing this review, I decided to check it out. The JCA Youtube channel gets millions of views for their true crime documentaries, however they aren't very prolific with the materials, posting a total of 20 videos over several years. I am guessing the makers of JCS hired to help with other documentaries (possibly this one) as a result of their success on Youtube (thus the possible reason they haven't posted a video in six months).

It's obvious that Netflix tends to reach a different audience than Youtube where true crime is concerned. I don't watch true crime videos on Youtube, or anywhere to be honest, but I see this has been popular for some time and I figured I'd check it out. True crime is overplayed on television, with so many channels that air nothing but this stuff 24/7. And when it comes to documentaries, again Youtube has some great stuff, but it's mostly amateur, and so if you want a real review of how this Netflix version could affect you, just read on.

Netflix did in fact nail this story about as good as any true crime documentary film could. How do I know? Well, it's been #1 for movies for several days. Comparing it to the Youtube version, I see some obvious differences. The Netflix version utilizes the tricks of the trade when it comes to evoking an emotional response. There is suspenseful music and excellent narration. The JCS version just spits out a lot of facts, but there is little emotion, just information, however it does present it in a very streamlined and interesting way. JCS succeeded in holding the audience's attention. In the end, it's really the narrative that sells itself.

I knew she had done it and I don't recall ever hearing about this crime on the news, because there are thousands of true crime stories similar to this. But what makes this documentary so much more riveting is the girl Jennifer, herself. She was a master actress in the story of her own life, burned into the police files as a seemingly innocent, yet troubled emotional wreck. It all culminated into a tangled no-win predicament. Something in this woman snapped. I suppose we can't blame the parents, but let's face it, they (at least her father) probably bullied her to the edge of madness. She should've just walked away. Why didn't she just walk away? She won so many piano contests, why not just be a piano teacher or something?

Repeat

[brummieman · 7/10 · 15 April 2024]

This is without a doubt a captivating story if you havent heard or seen it already.

The story, case study and outcome has been all over social media ever since it happened and the Netflix episode offers nothing new, if anything it edits things out!

However Netflix does have a great way of rerunning a story in a coherennt and compelling way, Just as it did with several other crime documentarie such as American Murder (the family next door) and the Sins of the mother. Netflix just gathers all of the youtube footage that many of us have seen and throws in a couple of new interviews to beef the story up, it does a good job here but id like to see fresh and new evidence rather than rewatch all the footage thats avaliable free on youtube.

Just watch JCS Criminology on Youtube

[Justanotherme213 · 4/10 · 13 April 2024]

I really hope they gave him credit for this, because his was so much better, and they obviously ripped him off. I only watched this because I learned of this case due to JCS. However, after watching this, and comparing to JCS, well it really can't compare. I feel like JCS was more thorough and kept my attention. I also like how he explains Jennifers demeanor and everything, so that you know how the story comes together. He gave a lot more backstory as well. I usually love Netflix, but it's really hard when you watched a really good one, and then you see this one, it just can't compare. I really recommend you watching JCS Criminology on YouTube instead.

Not that good

[mauricepuhlmann · 4/10 · 10 April 2024]

There are much better videos covering this case on YouTube. I can recommend Jennifer's solution by J C S

This Netflix documentary has a very black and white approach to the case and down plays the reasoning of Jennifer Pan tremendously... Even though it's the most important part of this story and should also be considered by many parents that are pressuring their children.

It also feels like this documentary doesn't have that dynamic touch we usually get from netflix documentaries. It's very bland and feels rushed.

I guess they are mass producing these nowadays since true crime is getting more and more popular on YouTube and such. I am going to stick to YouTube if the quality doesn't improve.

Agreed...watch JCS Criminal Psychology "Jennifer's Solution"

[deanna-perkins · 3/10 · 13 April 2024]

I came here after watching the documentary on Netflix to read others reviews and saw a couple mention this YouTube episode "Jennifer's Solution" by JCS Criminal Psychology. I was wondering how much better it actually could be and it's a LOT better. More footage of the interviews and explaining the psychology behind what she's doing. How you can see from the beginning she is putting on an act. I also think it does a better job of diving into her life with her parents. While Netflix's scratched the surface and was a good intro, the YouTube one really dives in deeper. I also think the Netflix doc provides more of the thoughts of the police/detectives on the case...but there were things that didn't make sense. There were clear consistencies in her 911 call and her in-person interviews that never appeared to be questioned in the interviews on the documentary. I would highly suggest the YouTube episode over Netflix's if you're interested in this case.

That's a great crime documentary!

[funnycommentor · 8/10 · 17 April 2024]

First of all, when I first watched the official teaser of the Netflix crime documentary I liked it and I had high expectations about it. Eventually, it was as good as I had imagined. The plot of the crime documentary was very interesting and mysterious, but not innovative because there are many documentaries similar to this one. Gladly, it was well-explained and everything was accurate. Also, it was a very intense documentary and it was shocking from start to finish. I have to admit, the ending part was kinda emotionally intense. Overall, "What Jennifer Did" was a nice documentary, very intense and I would definitely recommend it to anyone.

What a spectacularly stupid title for a crime mystery

[ryko25 · 4/10 · 10 April 2024]

What a spectacularly stupid title for a crime mystery - so stupid that the usual (understandable) concern of IMDb to avoid spoilers is surely not applicable in this instance.

The title and ensuing structure of the documentary means that there is zero surprise, zero suspense, zero reason to keep watching. I can't think of any comparable case of self-inflicted spoiler which absolutly blows the opportunity to tell an amazing story in such a clumsy manner.

The video of Jennifer's police interviews were originally the subject of an excellent Youtube documentary by JCS - Criminal Psychology, first published three years earlier. That was titled "Jennifer's Solution" - which is not really a spoiler because, on that channel, all of the cases are of interviews with suspects who turn out to be guilty.

I'll click "Yes" for the "Does this review contain spoilers?" question but, as already explained, this is surely superfluous for this dumb documentary!

Use of A.I. generated images in deceptive manner and stolen content from hobby YouTuber

[elsiebobek · 1/10 · 26 April 2024]

Attentive people noticed that there was something amiss with images used for this "documentary." As always, it was the fingers and hair first giving it away and later research confirmed it: The "documentary" makers created A. I. images of a happy Jennifer throwing peace signs to indicate she was unbothered by the attack on her parents. This is shameful and dangerous both, as it falsifies reality.

There is no doubt Jennifer planned this heinous crime but that information, along with ACTUAL evidence, must be enough. What about other cases? Cases still on trial, or being investigated? There have been documentaries about ongoing and active cases, after all. Added issues are trial by media resulting in biased juries, and/or the fact that judges may be up for re-election and feel pressured to come to a certain verdict, all directly influenced by A. I. lies. We have already seen this type of corruption (Menendez case/Judge Weisberg) without A. I. and the latter may make things far worse because the more this technology advances, the more difficult it will be to tell the difference between fact and fabrication. Such images or even deep-faked video footage can severely impact a case to a magnitude we can't even fully calculate yet, in terms of ultimate ripple effect and results.

So yes, here comes a new low of people feigning to show us the unadulterated truth. The old adage "An image says more than a thousand words" has never fully held true to begin with but has now lost all meaning. I hope laws will be put in place to prevent misleading viewers and steering opinions in that manner in the future.

Also, ans this has been said multiple times, the whole crockumentary was a sad and unsuccessful rip-off of the brilliant YouTube channel JCS Psychology whose creator both examined the case as well as the young offender's mental state. (The latter which this "documentary" entirely neglected.) To steal for monetary gain from a little YouTube channel is embarrassing enough but that with all that fantastic source material the end product was but a tedious, excruciatingly boring (and thanks to the A. I. issue factually dubious) affair is simply unforgivable.

Told us the how but not the why?

[dawnsacks-01578 · 5/10 · 23 April 2024]

Just finished watching the documentary. It was OK, but it did not delve into the psychological reasons for Jennifer killing her parents. The Asian culture pushes be the best be professional and not have a life whatsoever. Everything is about studying piano and violin. I went to school with children like this and they had no life and eventually had arranged marriages. While it was wrong for Jennifer to kill her parents. Murder is never the right thing to do, but we really must also look at why she did what she did and what was her breaking point she wasn't allowed to and she had to get into university to be a pharmacist, which is something she really didn't want to do and she wasn't scholastically at that level. The documentary could've dived into that issue of the tiger parents and what made Jennifer do what Jennifer did.

Documenetary of a pathological liar

[KatMovieLuver · 8/10 · 20 April 2024]

I enjoyed this true crime documentary. A wannabe college student is a pathological liar. She wanted to please her parents and felt the pressure to succeed in a university. Jennifer could not quite make it in the high pressure college scene.

Jennifer also had a bad boy boyfriend the parents made her break up with. She was still madly in love with him despite her parents.

Then a supposed home invasion happens. Jennifer turns into the main suspect and is interviewed several times by the detectives. The footage of the police interviews is very gripping. Jennifer is a good liar.

However, Jennifer has met her match in the experienced detectives grilling her. Amazing how she tries to spin lies to the very end.

The title tells you the outcome, how stupid.

[dayana421 · 1/10 · 12 April 2024]

I love crime documentaries, but only quality ones with a good story. This one was poorly made with the title that tells you the outcome, how stupid. Reading the title one knows who committed the crime. Also in addition to the title that gave it away, and who kills 2 people and leaves a witness to the murders alive. I knew first few minutes what the outcome will be. It's time to produce good quality documentaries not garbage like this. The networks are looking for high viewership yet put no effort to produce quality programs, documentaries, tv series or movies. People are tired of garbage shows, needs quality not quantity.

How can we trust a documentary if it uses ai images.

[kitsuneekate · 1/10 · 19 April 2024]

Netflix has used AI-generated images in a new true crime doc 'WHAT JENNIFER DID' to present Jennifer Pan as happy & confident before she was convicted of murder.

Use of AI tools is not disclosed in the credits. Netflix has used AI-generated images in a new true crime doc 'WHAT JENNIFER DID' to present Jennifer Pan as happy & confident before she was convicted of murder.

Use of AI tools is not disclosed in the credits. Netflix has used AI-generated images in a new true crime doc 'WHAT JENNIFER DID' to present Jennifer Pan as happy & confident before she was convicted of murder.

Use of AI tools is not disclosed in the credits.

Delivers the expected twist in an unsuprising manner! [+36%]

[arungeorge13 · 4/10 · 19 April 2024]

As a true-crime documentary, I felt the presentation of the case was rather lacklustre. The title gives away the one obvious (and anticipated) twist, especially for regular true-crime content consumers such as myself. The reenactments are plain and straightforward, and while the makers do not attempt any ridiculous editing gimmicks, they still could've done a better job of keeping the proceedings crisp and engaging.

For a piece that's supposed to play out like a thriller, it fails at doing exactly that. What we end up getting is a mostly flat retelling of the entire saga, which has been tackled in a more engrossing manner by at least a few YouTubers. It only tries to play into the dramatic "shock-value-providing" side of the story, while treating all the other aspects such as parental expectations, poor state of mental health, and immigrant life as ancilliary. Also, to hell with AI-generated imagery!

I really wanted to love this... but...

[scareworksprods · 1/10 · 18 April 2024]

I watched and enjoyed this 'documentary,' it is a very interesting murder mystery case. As a documentary is about uncovering and presenting the TRUTH to the audiance.

The images presented in "What Jennifer Did" (terrible title, by the way, removes all suspense from the viewer within the first five minutes of the film because we already know who did it.) The images of Jennifer, however, have turned out to be A. I. generated.

Presenting doctored images of a real life murderer on what is supposed to be a factual depiction of events undermines and undercuts the entire point of a documentary. The filmmakers have not only spread misinformation (even if it is only minor), they have undermined their purpose, and also delegitimized the actual victims of this crime.

Netflix continues to prove to me they are against the artist, they have no hindsight, and they are anti-human in many ways. Will not be watching anything from these filmmakers ever again.