Netflix 'The Motive': Why did a 14-year-old butcher his entire family?

In 1968, a teen boy took his father's rifle to shoot his family point-blank, while they were still asleep
A still from the trailer of 'The Motive' (YouTube)
A still from the trailer of 'The Motive' (YouTube)

Trigger Warning: Graphic content 

Netflix's newest true-crime, an Israeli 4-part documentary, tells the horrifying story of a 14-year-old teenager who murdered both his parents and sisters, with his father's rifle. The incident took place in Jerusalem, in 1968. To this day, we are yet to know why he did so.

As the series is scheduled to premiere on Netlfix, on October 28, viewers can expect to see the terrifying and gruesome act of a family massacre, committed by a young boy.

RELATED ARTICLES

Maine woman shot and killed by longtime partner in murder-suicide 3 years after her parents died the same way

Who is Brandon Curtis? Texas father-of-five shot dead after confronting teen boy for cyberbullying daughter

The original four-part series aired in December 2020 and aimed to revisit the events surrounding the tragedy that took place on February 22, 1986. On this fateful day, the teenage boy got up from his sleep in the middle of the night, took his father's M-16 assault rifle (which he had at home since he was on military reserve duty), and then killed his parents and two sisters. Following this, he changed his clothes, like nothing happened, and ran to the neighbor’s house.

When the police arrived at the crime scene, the detective asked him why he killed his family, and the boy was quick to answer, saying that a green creature commanded him to do so. Many psychiatrists from Israel and abroad tried to decipher this abnormal act of his, but still haven't been able to put a finger on his deed.

The creators of the series, Tali Shemesh and Asaf Sudri, interviewed Yossi Arnon, the murderer's lawyer. In Arnon's opinion, the boy came up with a fake story of a green monster that took over his mind and ordered him to kill his family. The series is also an attempt by the creators to try and find the answer to the murders.

Through all the years that have passed by since that wintry Friday night, people still continue to be thoroughly disturbed by the outright dissonance between the character of the small, bespectacled boy who was so composed, brilliant, and kind in nature, to the monstrous massacre that he committed to his own kin. 

During his interrogation, which followed suit, the boy made bizarre claims, that added a lot more mystery to his actual motive, and to this day there are many theories on his state of mind at that moment. In the series, we will get a fair idea that describes the boy's future and the changes in his life after this catastrophic wrath.

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

The second episode of the fantasy series focuses on the aftermath of the Battle of the Gullet, in which Rhaenyra loses her son Jace Velaryon.
58 minutes ago
Lestat contemplates walking out of the glitzy rockstar life, much to the disappointment of his mysterious mother
1 hour ago
Ebra’s final call to Albert Schnur gave ‘The Bear’ finale a quiet Rob Reiner tribute through one familiar line.
1 day ago
Carmy’s kitchen mistake becomes a turning point for Sydney and reshapes the future of The Bear as tensions rise in the kitchen.
1 day ago
Starz isn’t leaving fantasy behind after ‘Outlander’, as the network eyes a bestselling book series packed with romance, war, and werewolves.
1 day ago
Beulah’s life hangs in the balance as forces around her begin finding ways to destroy her family and ranch.
1 day ago
Disney is returning to one of its cult-favorite fantasy films with a fresh story, a new heroine, and one familiar face from the original movie.
2 days ago
Netflix has paired two fan-favorite stars once again for a brand-new thriller, where a missing mission pulls an estranged family into danger.
2 days ago
Adam Remsen faced off against Clay Stallworth and Kristin Warner in Friday's episode of 'Jeopardy!'
2 days ago
Mariel Molino hints that Gibbs and Lala’s romance could face challenges after their Season 2 kiss; however, the complete story is yet to unfold.
2 days ago