American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders explores a complex mix of software, espionage, and politics, revealing a surprising twist involving a supposed "real" tape of John F. Kennedy's assassination that left Netflix viewers stunned.
The gripping tale of Netflix's newest true crime series kicks off with Danny Casolaro, a writer and journalist who delved into a far-reaching conspiracy he dubbed 'The Octopus.' Tragically, before he could piece it all together, he was discovered dead in a hotel bathtub. While authorities labeled it a suicide, the mysterious circumstances surrounding his demise sparked speculation about foul play.
Photojournalist Christian Hansen continues the investigation that Casolaro started in American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders. The conspiracy is said to involve a secret organization linked to stolen government spy software, a series of unsolved murders, and major political scandals from the 20th century.
One key moment in the series focuses on one of the most famous conspiracy theories in history: the assassination of JFK. Find out more about this intriguing revelation and see what Netflix viewers are discussing. Spoiler alert: details ahead!
Shocking Revelation in American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders
Investigative journalist Cheri Seymour stunned viewers of The Octopus Murders by revealing a supposed "real" JFK tape. This footage showed the driver as the shooter in the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy. However, Seymour suspects that the tape was manipulated to sow confusion and undermine her credibility.
During her visit to Robert Booth Nichols, a man who claimed to have worked for the CIA, the incident unfolded. Michael Riconosciuto, a main source for Hansen and Casolaro, had warned not to speak to Nichols, describing him as "absolutely scary" and stating that he was "key to The Octopus."
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According to Seymour, when you start watching Riconosciuto and Nichols' anime, they have a way of messing with your mind. This definitely happened to me, and I'm sure it happened to Danny too. It's all part of the experience.
Cheri Seymour in American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders
Netflix
During her visit to Nichols at what she thought was a secure location, he decided to show her the Zapruder tape in slow motion. In this version, the driver is seen pulling out a gun, turning around, and shooting Kennedy. When she asked if the tape was altered, Nichols insisted, "This is the original footage."
Despite Seymour's skepticism, Nichols then presented another tape, which he claimed was the "media" version of the JFK assassination clip. "On this tape, the driver continues to drive without reacting to the gun," she recalls. "Nichols paused the video and pointed out, 'Focus on the tree.'"
In this iteration, the bottom of the trunk is missing, giving the tree the appearance of floating. Seymour recalls, "He says, 'This is the one that you're seeing in the media and it's been doctored.' He looked very, very intently at me and he said, 'Nothing is as it appears to be.' That tape was the last thing he did before I left."
To this day, she remains skeptical of Nichols' claims. Instead, she believes it aligns with the broader themes of the Netflix documentary, where deliberate confusion and deceptive tactics are used to conceal the truth.
"It seems like that was purposely edited to protect Robert Booth Nichols," Seymour suggests. "He must have manipulated the footage to make it look like half of the tree was in the film. This makes it hard for me to see the truth or share accurate information when discussing that particular video. Especially if you claim to believe it."
Footage of JFK assassination in American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders
Netflix
“I can tell you right now, I saw it. There’s no question what I saw. But, like he said, ‘Nothing is as it appears to be.’ In this world, their world.”
The scene has sparked discussion online. One person on Reddit expressed their confusion about the Kennedy video, asking if the floating tree is a real thing. They mentioned watching the Zapruder film but not seeing it. Additionally, they were unsure about the reason behind why the videos were shown, questioning if it was due to deception or belief in the truth.
Another Reddit user shared their perspective, stating that the individual in the video believed it had been doctored to deceive her. Revealing the true film would have caused embarrassment for her and undermined her credibility. The person felt that she eventually realized it was not real, especially after reflecting on the situation and the man's cryptic statement, "nothing is what it appears to be."
They responded saying, "Ok, I see that. It's crazy. I kind of fell for it. It just goes to show how conspiracies can easily take hold." Another person added, "It's a reflection of how things work in this world. The truth is hidden among a web of lies, making it hard to know what to believe."
Even with Seymour's explanation, Nichols' alleged attempt to sow confusion has left an impact on Netflix viewers. One person on X shared, "I was watching American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders and was shocked to see the two different JFK motorcade videos."
Another person mentioned that they watched the Netflix series "The Octopus Murders" where journalist Cheri Seymour claimed to have seen an original film cut of the JFK assassination showing the driver of the car turning around to shoot the President. They believe that she is correct, as there are several YouTube videos showing the driver allegedly killing JFK.
Director Zachary Treitz recently shared his thoughts on the Zapruder tape, stating to The Wrap that the scene with the Zapruder film is a very subjective story being told by Cheri Seymour. He mentioned that Cheri is a reliable narrator with a good memory, but her story feels eerie and haunting. To capture this feeling of subjectivity, they chose a play-like, 'Dogville'-like way of depicting it in the film. This approach aimed to emphasize the subjective nature of the situation.
I don’t think the driver could have turned around and killed JFK. We don't have an alternative theory about how JFK died. In our story, there seems to be some kind of mind control or manipulation of reality that the characters are aware of.
The JFK tape story presents a scenario where it's hard to trust what you see - there's a difference between what you know to be true and what you see. This can create a strange feeling inside you, making it difficult to determine what is real.
He mentioned that this case plays a key role in understanding The Octopus Murders. According to him, the FBI and DOJ reported that Danny Casolaro was deceived by con artists into believing a false narrative.
He acknowledged that there may have been attempts to manipulate Danny by con artists. However, he emphasized that it is uncertain whether Danny truly believed in those narratives. He also expressed his belief that these individuals remain a threat, regardless of Danny's beliefs.
The Octopus Murders is on Netflix now, and for more upcoming true crime and documentaries coming to streaming, head here.
Editor's P/S:
The article on American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders delves into the complex world of conspiracy theories, espionage, and political intrigue. The revelation of a supposed "real" JFK tape has sparked discussions and raised questions about the truth behind the assassination. The tale of Danny Casolaro, a journalist who delved into the mysterious "Octopus" conspiracy and met an untimely demise, adds to the intrigue.
The article exposes the murky depths of conspiracy theories, where manipulation and deception are used to sow confusion. The alleged JFK tape, presented by Robert Booth Nichols, raises doubts about the authenticity of the official narrative. However, the skepticism of Cheri Seymour and the director's acknowledgment of the subjectivity of the situation leave viewers questioning the truth. The story emphasizes the difficulty in discerning reality amidst a web of lies and manipulation, making it a thought-provoking exploration of the nature of truth and conspiracy.
