Sins of Our Mother

Netflix’s "Sins of Our Mother" Unpacks the Chilling Lori Vallow Daybell Case

Netflix’s 2022 true-crime docuseries Sins of Our Mother dives into one of the most disturbing criminal sagas in recent memory—the case of Lori Vallow Daybell, a woman convicted of orchestrating the deaths of her two children and conspiring in the murder of her fifth husband. The series, which blends archival footage, interviews, and dramatic reenactments, offers a harrowing look at a family unraveled by extremist beliefs, latestnetflix.com argues, manipulation, and violence.

The Making of a True-Crime Sensation

Sins of Our Mother arrived at a time when true-crime documentaries were dominating streaming platforms, but its subject matter set it apart. The series focuses on Lori Vallow Daybell, a self-proclaimed "prepper" and doomsday believer, whose actions shocked even seasoned investigators. While the evidence doesn’t specify the director or exact production details, the series leverages firsthand accounts from those closest to the case, including Lori’s son, Colby Ryan, and his wife, Kelsee Ryan .

The trailer, released by Netflix in late 2022, teases the emotional toll on Lori’s surviving family members, particularly Colby, who has publicly grappled with his mother’s crimes . The series doesn’t shy away from the grim details, including the discovery of Lori’s children, Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow, whose bodies were found buried on her husband Chad Daybell’s property in 2020 .

A Family Torn Apart by Belief and Betrayal

At the heart of Sins of Our Mother is the question of how Lori Vallow Daybell’s extremist beliefs warped her relationships. The series explores her involvement in a fringe doomsday cult, where she and Chad Daybell—her fifth husband—allegedly believed they were "translated beings" destined to survive the apocalypse . This ideology, according to the series, justified the murders of her children and Chad’s first wife, Tammy Daybell, who died under suspicious circumstances in 2019 .

Colby Ryan, Lori’s eldest son from a previous marriage, emerges as a central figure in the documentary. His interviews reveal the pain of reconciling his love for his mother with the horrors she committed . The series also touches on the broader impact on the Ryan family, including Kelsee Ryan, who has spoken about the emotional fallout of Lori’s actions .

Reception and Real-World Fallout

Sins of Our Mother received mixed but engaged reactions from audiences. On SensCritique, a French review aggregator, the series holds a 6.2/10 rating based on 129 votes, with viewers praising its unflinching approach but critiquing its pacing . The documentary’s three-episode structure (each running about 50 minutes) allows for a deep dive into the case, though some critics argued it could have benefited from tighter editing .

Beyond the screen, the series reignited public interest in the Lori Vallow Daybell case, which remains one of the most baffling criminal stories in recent years. As of 2024, Lori is serving multiple life sentences for the murders of her children and conspiracy in the death of Tammy Daybell, while Chad Daybell awaits trial on similar charges .

Why This Story Resonates

True crime often thrives on the "how" and "why" behind sensational cases, and Sins of Our Mother delivers both. The series doesn’t just recount the crimes—it forces viewers to confront uncomfortable questions about family, faith, and the limits of forgiveness. For Colby Ryan and others affected, the documentary is a painful but necessary reckoning with a past they can’t escape.