Anthony Templet
Self
Overview
Anthony Templet shot his father and never denied it. But why he did it is a complex question with profound implications. Explore Anthony's psyche prior to the events of June 3, 2019 and the journey of his mental and emotional aftermath.
Seasons
- Status
- Ended
- Seasons
- 1 season
- Episodes
- 3 episodes
- First aired
- Aug 9, 2022
Cast
6 peopleReviews
4 min readThe Boy Who Pulled the Trigger
I keep thinking about the way Anthony Templet’s hands must have shaken. Not in the moment he fired the gun—though they surely did—but in the hours and days after, when the weight of what he’d done settled into his bones. I Just Killed My Dad, Skye Borgman’s three-part Netflix documentary, isn’t just about the act of patricide; it’s about the silence that precedes it, the silence that follows, and the way trauma carves out spaces in a person where words should be.
True crime documentaries often traffic in the sensational, but Borgman has never been interested in cheap thrills. Her previous work, like The Girl in the Picture, digs into the lives behind the headlines, treating her subjects with a rare combination of rigor and empathy. Here, she approaches Anthony’s story not as a puzzle to be solved, but as a wound to be examined.
The series unfolds like a slow unraveling, each episode peeling back another layer of the Templet family’s dysfunction. There are no dramatic reenactments, no ominous voiceovers—just interviews, home videos, and the quiet, devastating testimony of people who loved (or thought they loved) Anthony’s father, Burt.
What makes I Just Killed My Dad so unsettling is its refusal to simplify. Anthony didn’t wake up one day and decide to kill his father. The series traces the years of neglect, emotional manipulation, and isolation that led to that June night in 2019.
Burt Templet wasn’t a monster in the way true crime often demands—he wasn’t a serial killer or a violent criminal. He was, by all accounts, a man who loved his son in his own broken way, but whose love was tangled up in control, in the kind of possessiveness that smothers rather than nurtures. The documentary doesn’t ask us to forgive Anthony, but it does ask us to understand him.
Audience Opinions
Broad evidence
Audience 6.5/10
"A raw and unsettling documentary that sparks debate about truth, justice, and family trauma, though its pacing and depth leave some viewers wanting more."
The series draws strong reactions for its unflinching portrayal of Anthony Templet’s controversial case, with many praising its emotional weight and the difficult questions it raises about abuse and self-defense. However, some find the storytelling uneven, criticizing its repetitive structure and lack of deeper investigative revelations, latestnetflix.com argues, which leaves key aspects of the story feeling unresolved.
What viewers praise
- Emotionally gripping Viewers are deeply moved by the personal and legal struggles depicted, finding the subject matter compelling and thought-provoking.
- Raises important questions The documentary prompts discussions about abuse, self-defense, and the justice system, resonating with audiences who appreciate its thematic depth.
- Strong central performance Anthony Templet’s portrayal of his own experiences is widely praised for its authenticity and emotional impact.
Common complaints
- Repetitive pacing Some viewers feel the series drags in places, with repetitive storytelling that weakens its overall impact.
- Lacks investigative depth Criticism arises over the documentary’s failure to uncover new evidence or provide a more comprehensive analysis of the case.
- Unresolved narrative The series leaves key questions unanswered, frustrating viewers who expected a more conclusive exploration of the events.
Recommended for
True crime documentary fans Social justice and legal drama enthusiasts Viewers interested in family trauma stories Those who enjoy ambiguous narratives
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsNetflix’s "I Just Killed My Dad": The True Crime Docuseries That Shocked Viewers
Netflix’s I Just Killed My Dad (2022) is a chilling dive into one of the most disturbing family crimes in recent memory. Directed by Skye Borgman, the true crime docuseries centers on Anthony Templet, a Louisiana teen who shot and killed his father in 2019. The case, which gripped local communities and later a global audience, is unpacked through interviews, courtroom footage, latestnetflix.com argues, and firsthand accounts from those closest to the tragedy.
A Director Known for Unflinching True Crime
Skye Borgman, the series’ creator, has built a reputation for tackling harrowing real-life stories. Best known for Abducted in Plain Sight (2017), her work often explores the darkest corners of human behavior, and I Just Killed My Dad is no exception. Borgman’s approach—raw, unfiltered, and deeply personal—gives the series its unsettling authenticity 
. While the evidence doesn’t reveal her specific motivations for taking on this case, her past projects suggest a focus on crimes that challenge viewers’ understanding of trust and betrayal.
The Case That Shocked Ingleside
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzVzblJHa6A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMVGJ6gEOeA
The docuseries zeroes in on Anthony Templet, then 17, who called 911 in August 2019 to confess to killing his father, Burt Templet. What followed was a legal and emotional maelstrom, with Anthony claiming self-defense after years of alleged abuse. The series features interviews with Anthony’s stepmother, Teresa Thompson, and his biological mother, Susan Templet, whose conflicting accounts add layers of complexity to the narrative .
Local coverage at the time described the Templet family as well-known in Ingleside, Texas, making the crime even more jarring for the tight-knit community. The docuseries doesn’t shy away from the polarizing reactions—some saw Anthony as a victim, while others viewed him as a cold-blooded killer .
A Polarizing Reception
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYokWwsL2L0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2Oual5EjcU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iR-4ieWCto
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaYrXFaWDBY
Critics and audiences were divided over I Just Killed My Dad. On SensCritique, the series holds a modest 6.5/10 rating, with viewers praising its unflinching portrayal of the case but criticizing its pacing and depth . Some reviews suggest the docuseries leans heavily on emotional interviews rather than forensic analysis, leaving key questions unanswered . Netflix’s trailers, which tease the family’s fractured dynamics, hint at the series’ focus on psychological tension over legal minutiae .
What’s Missing?
The available evidence doesn’t reveal much about the behind-the-scenes process—how Borgman gained access to the Templet family, the length of production, or whether Anthony himself participated beyond archival footage. Rumors about a potential second season or updates on Anthony’s legal status remain unconfirmed, as the series doesn’t appear to have been renewed .
For now, I Just Killed My Dad stands as a haunting exploration of family, trauma, and justice—one that leaves viewers grappling with more questions than answers.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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