Netflix subscribers have been left in tears after watching a true crime documentary that has been described as ‘compulsory’ viewing – and it has sparked a much-needed discussion
Netflix viewers have been left ‘catching their breath’ after streaming a harrowing true crime documentary that recently dropped on the platform. True crime enthusiast Dani, known as @crimedocdani across social media, posted an update about the film on her TikTok account.
She branded it a “horrifically tragic” documentary while issuing a stark warning to viewers before revealing its subject matter. Released earlier this month, All The Empty Rooms chronicles a journalist and photographer’s mission to document the bedrooms abandoned by youngsters murdered in school shootings.
Dani explained: “I’ve seen about a thousand documentaries, and when I tell you this was one of the hardest I’ve ever had to get through, I’m not being dramatic. These stories are incredibly important to tell.”
Responding to her clip, one viewer commented: “Scared to watch it! I’m still not over The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez – still makes me teary eyed when I think about it.”
Another person shared: “My son’s room is exactly the same as when he died suddenly from a fall 8 1/2 years ago at age 21 while away at college.”
A third viewer remarked: “I live in Australia and I just can’t imagine how you become numb to this!” Another commented: “Every gun owner should be made to watch this before getting a gun. I’m sobbing.”
On IMDb, one watcher wrote: “I didn’t want to watch this because I knew it would be heartbreaking but that’s the whole point.
“For anyone who thinks the right to own a gun is more important than the rights of children to go to school and not be killed, this is a must watch. So many empty rooms, so much sorrow.
“This should be compulsory viewing in the White House no matter who’s sitting in it.”
Another chimed in: “All the Empty Rooms is an astonishing, deeply human masterpiece – a film of rare emotional power and moral clarity.
“It turns silence into poetry, grief into grace, and empty spaces into sacred memorials.
“Every frame aches with empathy and reverence, leaving you changed long after it ends. Highly recommended.”
On IMDB, the documentary has been rated 7.6 out of 10. The 34-minute short, suitable for viewers aged 12 and above, was directed and produced by Joshua Seftel.
The film follows Steve Hartman and photographer Lou Bopp as they journey across the US, memorialising the bedrooms of children lost to school shootings.
