In 2016, the documentary O.J.: Made in America delivered a sweeping and deeply layered look at one of the most controversial figures in American history.
Directed by Ezra Edelman, the film went far beyond a traditional true crime narrative, exploring the life of Orenthal James “O. J.” Simpson through the lenses of race, fame, class and politics. The result was a sprawling, nearly eight-hour documentary that examined not just Simpson’’’s rise and fall, but the broader cultural forces that shaped his story.
The film earned widespread critical acclaim and went on to win the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, cementing its place as one of the most important nonfiction films of its time.
Rather than focusing solely on the infamous murder trial, O.J.: Made in America traced Simpson’s journey from celebrated athlete and cultural icon to a figure at the center of a national reckoning. It follows the once-beloved football star and actor whose reputation was forever altered by his 1995 murder trial where he stood accused of killing his wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman. Simpson was acquitted of the charges, but that was far from the end of his story.
Widely known as one of the greatest running backs in NFL history, Simpson’s rise to fame is as captivating as the events surrounding the case. The film explores the lasting impact Simpson’s story had on American society, weaving together sports, celebrity culture, and broader conversations about race and justice.
“There was no point I was trying to prove, beyond searching for greater clarity and understanding,” Edelman told The Guardian. This was about the recollections of these people who lived through this history, and I very much did not want to manipulate that. Who am I, as this outside arbiter, to come in and say I’m going to write this story? No, I’m going to let you tell these stories.”
However, there was one key figure who was missing from the film: it’s subject, O.J. Simpson.
“I think it’s a blessing not to talk to O.J.,” Edelman told Nieman Storyboard. Because O.J., with everything you know about him—even having watched the film—you know that O.J. is compromised. He’s not a reliable narrator. The entire story is predicated upon a guy who has been saying one thing, and may have done another thing. His whole thing is about image. How am I going to penetrate that veneer? I don’t think I can.”
Rolling Stone later included the film among the best movies of the century, highlighting its expansive storytelling and its ability to tie together sports, celebrity and social commentary into one cohesive, complex, and compelling narrative.
Nearly a decade after its release, O.J.: Made in America continues to resonate, standing as both a gripping documentary and a sobering examination of the American dream and the realities that often lie beneath it.
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This story was originally published by Parade on Mar 27, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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