Who Killed Malcolm X?

Who Killed Malcolm X? is a riveting and thought-provoking six-part documentary series from Netflix, which originally aired between 2019 and 2020. The series reexamines the assassination of the iconic civil rights leader, Malcolm X, who was tragically gunned down in New York City's Audubon Ballroom on February 21, 1965.

The documentary series is centered on the passion and dedication of Abdur-Rahman Muhammad, a Washington D.C-based historian, activist, and self-taught detective who has spent much of his life researching and investigating the mysteries surrounding the death of Malcolm X. Recognizing the profound significance of Malcolm X, his assassination, and its aftermath, the series highlights the struggles of Muhammad to piece together the obscured facts surrounding this historic event and his relentless pursuit for justice.

Who Killed Malcolm X? unfolds like a true-crime thriller merged with a gripping historical exposé. This is not simply narration and bland archival footage. Instead, the storytellers bring the audience into intimate conversations, Believing that the full truth of the assassination has not been adequately mined nor wholly revealed, Muhammad embarks on a quest to interrogate the narrative around Malcolm X's assassination, attempting to separate the prevailing mists of misinformation, doubts, and conspiracy theories from the verifiable facts.

Across the series, the audience is educated on how the ripple effects of Malcolm X's life and death not only impacted the civil rights movement, but also continue to resonate in contemporary socio-political dynamics. The series spotlights the broad scope of Malcolm X's influence and how his potent words and actions continue to ignite discussions about race, justice, and equality.

Moreover, Who Killed Malcolm X? does not shy away from examining the complex persona of its titular figure. It presents Malcolm X in his fullness; exploring his life before he became a civil rights icon, his path to becoming the firebrand minister of the Nation of Islam, his eventual split with the organization, his pilgrimage to Mecca, and his evolving philosophy in the final year of his life. It underscores the intricacies of a man who is at once a fiery street orator, a dedicated family man, a deep spiritual thinker, and a beacon of uncompromising black pride.

This series intertwines the examination of the controversial circumstances surrounding Malcolm X's death with an exploration of the Nation of Islam. It delves deep into the strained relationship between Malcolm X and the organization's leadership. It introduces viewers to the members of the Nation of Islam, including its leader, Elijah Muhammad, and explores the impact of tension within the organization on Malcolm X's life.

The true strength of Who Killed Malcolm X? lies not just in its commitment to the pursuit of truth, but also in its raw and unflinching portrayal of the tumultuous period in US history during which Malcom X emerged as a significant figure. Utilizing a blend of eye-catching visuals, rarely seen archival footage, interviews with key figures, and Muhammad’s fervent investigation, the series reconstructs the socio-cultural landscape of the time and provides comprehensive historical context for the chain of events leading up to and following the assassination.

While the controversial question in the series' title inherently suggests a crime, a culprit, and a quest for closure, Who Killed Malcolm X? is not simply a whodunit. Instead, it cleverly operates as a layered exploration of the broader implications of the murder. As the series unfolds, it underlines not just the pursuit of the truth about the tragic day in 1965, but also emphasizes the continued relevance of the questions Malcolm X posed about America.

In watching the series, viewers are compelled to grapple with a larger question: Why was Malcolm X, a catalyst for change and a symbol of African-American empowerment, viewed by so many, including elements within the government, as a figure of such extreme threat?

The documentary series triumphs in the fact that it does not merely aim to answer its eponymous question or provide a simple conclusion. Rather, the audience is left to sit with the revealed complexities, reflecting on the deeply entwined relationship between the past and the present.

In essence, Who Killed Malcolm X? is not simply a recapitulation of history. It is a grave reminder that to attain any semblance of true justice, society must continually interrogate the narratives it embraces about its own past and grapple with its uncomfortable truths. In this, the documentary is not just about the quest of one man for truth and justice, it is an exhortation to us all to question, to reflect, and to learn.