The movie "A Deadly American Marriage" (2025) unfolds as a documentary-style crime drama centered on the real-life killing of Jason Corbett during a violent dispute involving his wife, Molly Martens, and her father, Tom Martens.

The story begins with Jason Corbett, a widower, who falls in love with Molly Martens, an American au pair. They marry and move to the United States with Jason’s two children, Jack and Sarah. The family dynamic is tense from the start, complicated by custody issues: Jason plans to take the children back to Ireland, but Molly, who raised them for most of their lives without formal adoption, resists losing them. This tension is underscored by Jason’s will, which names his sister and her husband as guardians of the children, not Molly.

The narrative builds to the fateful night of Jason’s death. The film presents the conflicting perspectives of those involved: Molly and her father claim they killed Jason in self-defense during a violent altercation. The prosecution, however, argues that the self-defense claim is dubious, pointing to the autopsy revealing Jason was struck at least a dozen times in the head, crushing his skull, while Molly and Tom were physically unharmed. The toxicology report also casts doubt on their version of events.

The film includes detailed courtroom scenes from the 2017 trial, showing testimony from investigators, prosecutors, and defense lawyers. The jury deliberates for three hours before delivering unanimous guilty verdicts, sentencing Molly and Tom to 20-to-25 years in prison.

Throughout the documentary, the camera lingers on Molly’s enigmatic expressions, capturing her coldness when discussing miscarriage and denying wrongdoing. Her father, a former FBI agent, appears as a protective figure, almost like a bodyguard, adding a layer of unsettling emotional complexity.

The children, Jack and Sarah, emerge as tragic figures—orphans of their father, caught in a custody battle and emotional turmoil. The film highlights their confusion and pain, emphasizing the impact of the crime and trial on their lives.

The story closes with the notion that the real battle is over who controls the narrative. Molly, despite the accusations and verdict, is portrayed as directing the story’s spotlight, shaping the version of events that reaches the public.

The film runs 1 hour and 42 minutes and is directed by Jessica Burgess and Jenny Popplewell. It was released on Netflix on May 9, 2025.

The marriage was marked by intense tension primarily due to custody issues. Jason Corbett planned to leave Molly Martens and take the children, Jack and Sarah, back to Ireland. Molly, who had raised the children for most of their lives but never formally adopted them, did not want to lose custody. This conflict over the children, compounded by the fact that Jason named his sister as guardian in his will instead of Molly, heightened tensions and contributed to the fatal argument.

Molly Martens' father, Tom, a former FBI agent, is portrayed as both a literal and emotional accomplice who was ready to protect her. Their relationship is described as unsettling, with Tom acting more like a reputation bodyguard than a parent, providing a kind of narrative armor around Molly during the events and trial.

The prosecution challenged the self-defense claim by pointing out that Jason Corbett was hit at least a dozen times in the head, crushing his skull, which seemed excessive for self-defense. Additionally, the Martenses were physically unharmed, which the prosecution argued was unlikely if they were truly fighting for their lives. Toxicology reports also cast doubt on the Martenses' accounts of the incident.

The children, Jack and Sarah, are depicted as the real victims, orphaned of a father and kidnapped from stability. They are portrayed as pawns in an emotional chessboard, caught in a carousel of conflicting versions and accusations. The narrative highlights the emotional toll on them and the fact that much was left unsaid to them throughout the ordeal.

The documentary includes sit-down interviews with investigators and prosecutors involved in the murder investigation, Molly Martens' lawyers who won the appeal, and family members. It presents conflicting perspectives from those closest to the case, offering a rare glimpse into the crime, the trial, and the custody battle that extends beyond the courtroom.

The movie "A Deadly American Marriage" (2025) is not family friendly. It is a true crime documentary that deals with a real and tragic murder case, including graphic and upsetting content that is unsuitable for children or sensitive viewers.

Potentially objectionable or upsetting scenes include: - Graphic images from the crime scene and descriptions of the brutality of the murder. - Themes of domestic violence and tense, troubled relationships within a marriage. - Emotional distress related to the impact of adult violence on children, including their loss and trauma. - Discussions of manipulation, emotional abuse, and complex family dynamics involving a protective but unsettling parental figure. - Scary and intense moments related to asthma attacks, which may be distressing for some viewers.

The film is described as shocking, thrilling, and emotionally heavy, with a focus on the harsh realities and consequences of the crime rather than being a sanitized or neutral presentation. It is intended for mature audiences interested in true crime and is not suitable for children or those sensitive to violent or emotionally intense content.