The Motive Ending Explained

In 2021, a chilling incident sent shockwaves through Israel: a 13-year-old boy murdered his entire family in a manner so cold-blooded that it left the nation in disbelief. The baffling absence of a discernible motive made the case all the more unsettling. Netflix's documentary, 'The Motive,' delves into the perplexing details of this heinous crime, attempting to unravel the enigma that shrouded that fateful evening.

The narrative unfolds with Avi Samuel, an investigator, responding to a call about gunshots heard in the quiet neighborhood of Ein Karem, Jerusalem. Upon entering the crime scene, Avi discovered a gruesome tableau—a couple and their daughters shot at point-blank range in their beds. The nation stood still as the authorities grappled with the horror of the crime.

The spotlight shifted to the lone survivor, the 13-year-old boy, who maintained a stoic demeanor amidst the chaos. In the first interrogation, he initially spun a tale of a burglary gone awry, only to later confess to the crime. His rationale was perplexing; he claimed to be inspired by a scene from the movie 'Papillon,' where an inmate annihilates his family. The boy described feeling an inexplicable compulsion triggered by the tolling of church bells, leading him to commit the unspeakable act.

The case took a curious turn as the boy's defense lawyer strategically emphasized the absence of a motive, leaving legal experts astounded. The forensic experts and psychiatrists involved found themselves pitted against a boy whose composure defied the gravity of his actions. The documentary captures the intellectual battle between the young perpetrator and the seasoned experts, a clash that left many questions unanswered.

As the documentary unfolds, viewers are confronted with an intriguing revelation—the defense lawyer, Yossi Arnon, harbored certain undisclosed facts. He chose silence, a deliberate move to preserve the crime's apparent lack of motive, bolstering his defense strategy.

Despite multiple theories, including suggestions of familial abuse, the true motivation behind the boy's heinous act remains elusive. 'The Motive' concludes leaving viewers in a state of perpetual bewilderment. The documentary serves as a chilling reminder of the complexities of the human psyche and the haunting mysteries that can lurk within the human mind.