'CHAOS: The Manson Murders' Examines Attempts to Explain the Mystery Around Charlie Manson

Yahoo

07-03-2025

Few have met Charles Manson face-to-face. Academy Award-winning filmmaker Errol Morris is among those rare few.Morris first learned about the Manson murders when the press covered the story, like most Americans. "It's a story that everybody knows about in one way or another," said Morris. "To say that [the murders] were well known and well covered is an understatement."He described being on a trip to Vacaville in the 70s to visit another inmate and serial killer, Ed Kemper. After the interview, the guard asked him if he was interested in meeting Manson. "And I said sure," Morris continued.While he explained he wasn't particularly interested in making a documentary about the subject at the time, it wasn't until his editor was having problems with a book. "The writer had taken an advance," said Morris. He was then asked to assist in finishing his editor with the book."This was my introduction to Tom O'Neill and the book, which eventually became ['CHAOS: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties']," said Morris. "I first interviewed [O'Neill] some 10 years ago, and at that time, I really didn't want to help finish the book, but I was interested in turning it into a movie from the very beginning."In Morris' new film, "CHAOS: The Manson Murders," the iconic filmmaker doesn't aim to answer the questions that circulate around the Manson Murders, rather, the documentary aims to examine attempts to explain what Morris called "the Manson Phenomenon."The documentary covers the killing of Hollywood figures including Sharon Tate, who was eight months pregnant when murdered. It also delves into Manson's early life, his musical aspirations and feelings of betrayal, and the racial tensions that characterized the '60s.The film juxtaposes the known "Summer of Love" mantra of the time and explores the dark undercurrents of its history, such as the relation between the CIA, LSD, and Manson himself. "There's a much deeper and darker mystery about human personality here — the how and why we do things," said Morris in a statement.The film immediately draws viewers in. Utilizing Morris' iconic interview style and music from Manson himself, reflecting the all the more eerie feelings that swirl.While Morris explains that, like the Manson murders, there's always mystery revolving around true crime stories, and explains nothing is ever really "wrapped up with a bow.""There are not really so many mysteries about who Charlie killed, or who Charlie and the 'Family' killed," said Morris. "I think [the] central mystery is defined by [O'Neill] and I would agree with him. How is it that Charlie was able to convince others to participate in this madness and those answers are not so easily forthcoming."
The film encapsulates every detail of Manson's life and organizes the events into chapters. In an effort to explore these answers, Morris details that a central difficulty is to try to make sense of everything."Trying to tell a story about it that somehow seems true [and] seems correct. It captures what happened," said Morris. "And there is a mystery, an ongoing mystery of Charlie Manson. Maybe it's not a mystery that can ever be completely solved, but I try to examine the nature of the mystery and attempts, the various attempts that have been made to provide solutions."When asked what sets this film apart from others about this topic, Morris shared that "it doesn't purport to give you a definitive answer.""CHAOS: The Manson Murders" premieres March 7 exclusively on Netflix.
Stay in the Know! Get the top news from Los Angeles Magazine sent to your inbox every day. Sign up for The Daily Brief below or by clicking here.