I Am Not a Monster: The Lois Riess Murders

Last updated
I Am Not a Monster: The Lois Riess Murders
I Am Not a Monster The Lois Riess Murders (2024).jpg
Directed by Erin Lee Carr
Music byJustin Melland
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes2
Production
Executive producers
ProducerErin Lee Carr
Cinematography
  • Michael Beach Nichols
  • Shane Sigler
Editors
  • Becky Goldberg
  • Jason Sager
Running time85-87 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network HBO
ReleaseOctober 15 (2024-10-15) 
October 16, 2024 (2024-10-16)

I Am Not a Monster: The Lois Riess Murders is an American two-part documentary series, [1] directed and produced by Erin Lee Carr. It follows Lois Riess, a Minnesota mother and grandmother who kills her husband, goes on the run and commits another murder in Florida, gets captured in Texas in 2018. She is convicted for both crimes and five years later grants her first interview from prison.

Contents

It premiered October 15-16, 2024, on HBO.

Premise

Lois Riess, a Minnesota woman accused of murder who goes on the run and is later convicted, sits down for her first interview. [2] Additionally family members, journalists, addiction specialists, and a potential victim are interviewed. [3]

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
1"Part One"Erin Lee CarrOctober 15, 2024 (2024-10-15)N/A
2"Part Two"Erin Lee CarrOctober 16, 2024 (2024-10-16)N/A

Production

Erin Lee Carr interviewed Lois Riess from prison. [4] Carr was interested in the story as she wanted to make something revolving around someone middle age not receiving attention throughout their life. [5]

Brian Grazer and Ron Howard serve as executive producers under their Imagine Documentaries banner. [6]

Reception

Joel Keller of Decider suggested viewing the series writing: "Fascinating because of the fact that Riess could be a troubled but largely emotionally stable woman who snapped or she could be a sociopath, and the interview with her that’s the centerpiece of this series keeps us guessing in that regard." [7]

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References

  1. "HBO Original Two-Part Documentary I'M NOT A MONSTER: THE LOIS RIESS MURDERS Debuts October 15". Warner Bros. Discovery . October 4, 2024. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  2. Acosta, Nicole (October 7, 2024). "She Killed Her Husband and a Lookalike Whose Identity She Tried to Steal. In New HBO Doc, She Reveals Why". People . Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  3. Berman, Marc (October 7, 2024). "Documentary 'I'm Not A Monster: The Lois Riess Murders' Debuts On HBO On October 15". Forbes . Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  4. B. Waxman, Olivia (October 15, 2024). "HBO's I'm Not a Monster: The Lois Riess Murders Explores What Drove a Woman to Kill Her Husband". Time . Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  5. Cobb, Kayla (October 15, 2024). "'I Am Not a Monster' Director Likens Lois Riess Murders to Gypsy Rose Blanchard: 'It's Just So Complicated'". The Wrap . Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  6. "News Bulletin: Blooming Prairie killer to premiere on HBO". Steele County Times. October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  7. Keller, Joel (October 15, 2024). "Stream It Or Skip It: 'I'm Not A Monster: The Lois Riess Murders' On HBO, A Docuseries About A Minnesota Woman Who Was Pushed To Kill — Or Did She Plan It Out?". Decider. Retrieved October 16, 2024.