No One Saw a Thing

No One Saw a Thing is a thrilling and provocative true-crime documentary series first aired on SundanceTV in 2019. This gripping show delves into the deeper, darker realities of small-town America as it unpicks the complex narrative of a murder that remains unsolved decades later, in spite of numerous witnesses claiming to have been present during the crime's execution. The series is an intriguing exploration of the psychology of a close-knit community, crime, violence, and the concept of justice versus the law and is sure to captivate audiences who are fans of mystery, true crime, and social intrigue.

Set against the backdrop of Skidmore, Missouri, a quaint rural town in the American Midwest, No One Saw a Thing begins with the brutal vigilante murder of Ken Rex McElroy in broad daylight on Skidmore's main street in 1981. McElroy, notoriously known as the town bully, had been charged with several felonies over the years, but due to intimidation and fear tactics, witnesses would frequently recant their testimonies, allowing him to escape conviction regularly.

On the day of the murder, the residents of Skidmore took justice into their own hands, publicly executing McElroy in front of as many as 60 people. Nonetheless, when investigators arrived on the scene, they were met with stubborn silence - a chilling testament to the man's reign of terror. No one admitted to witnessing the crime, and no charges were ever pressed, thereby creating an eerie dichotomy of individual and collective behavior that underscores this chilling narrative.

The series unfolds over six episodes, examining complex themes such as mob justice, the failures of the legal system, fear, and the power of communal silence, effectively holding up a mirror to American society. No One Saw a Thing endeavors to unravel the truth by collecting personal accounts, interviews with residents, law enforcement officials, and family members and draws on archival footage to offer the audience a comprehensive insight into the crime and its aftermath.

More than just a retrospective exploration of an unsolved murder, the series also investigates how this one high-profile incident sparked a cycle of violent crimes in the town over the following years. These incidents include the disappearance of a local young woman and the brutal murder of a resident, both incidents shrouded in mysteries and secrets, much like the murder of McElroy. Through this narrative thread, the series paints an unsettling picture of how violence, once given free rein, can grip a community and perpetuate a continuous cycle of fear and lawlessness.

Israeli filmmaker Avi Belkin serves as the director of No One Saw a Thing, setting the consistent and balanced tone for writing, editing, and direction that proprietary SundanceTV series are known to evoke. Cinematographer Igor Martinovic manages to capture the simple beauty of the rural Midwest while also infusing each shot with a sense of unease and suspense. The hauntingly evocative score by Brooke Blair and Will Blair sets a chilling undertone that leaves viewers on the edge of their seats.

As an exploration of crime in small-town America, No One Saw a Thing is a powerful and unsettling saga. It highlights how victims of uncontrolled aggression and violence can resort to extreme measures to regain peace when the law and order system seemingly fails them. Yet, it also presents the disturbing aftermath of such actions, leading to a cycle of fear and violence that continues to overshadow the town.

The show is a must-watch for true crime aficionados as well as sociologists who are interested in probing the collective psyche of a seemingly peaceful rural community plummeted into a state of chaos and fear. Through compelling storytelling, combined with solid cinematography and a haunting score, No One Saw a Thing manages to strike a balance between being a chilling documentary about vigilante justice and an unnerving social commentary on the spiraling consequences of violence.