• Feature Documentary
  • 102 minutes
  • 2025

A Deadly American Marriage

When Jason Corbett, an Irish widower and father of two young children, found love again with his American au pair, Molly Martens, in 2008, their relationship seemed ripped from the pages of a storybook. The couple, along with Jason’s kids, Jack and Sarah, moved from Ireland to North Carolina to build a new life together. But on Aug. 2, 2015, their idyllic tale took a dark turn when Jason was killed in a violent altercation at home. The perpetrators? Molly and her father, Thomas Martens — a former FBI agent.

Molly and Thomas claimed self-defense, the former eventually pleading no contest and the latter guilty to voluntary manslaughter in 2023 to avoid a trial, but their release from prison in June 2024 reignited questions over the incident’s true nature. Was this actually self-defense, as they argued, or a calculated killing? For some, the intricacies of Jason and Molly’s marriage add further complexity, including a long-simmering debate over the custody of Jack and Sarah, who were 10 and 8 years old, respectively, at the time of Jason’s death.


Producer & Director
Jenny Popplewell

Producer & Director
Jessica Burgess

Executive Producers
Henry Singer, James Marsh & Susannah Price

Platform
Netflix
It grips its viewers with a shocking tale that unfolds in layers of conflicting truths and emotional devastation. This is not just a story about crime — it’s a story about loss, perception, and the elusive nature of justice….

Reel Advice

It’s an emotionally charged, thought-provoking watch that leaves you questioning the very nature of truth and justice.

The Review Geek

Much like The Staircase or the enduring mystery of the JonBenet Ramsey case, it presents the audience with layered truths and moral gray areas. Viewers are left to decide for themselves who is telling the truth, what justice looks like, and whether the full story will ever truly be known.

MT Times

It’s a story that lingers long after the credits roll.

Technadu

It’s a gripping, thoughtful, and emotionally resonant documentary. Prepare to be surprised, disturbed, and deeply moved.

Reel Advice

The film serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the complexities of domestic violence, the manipulation of children, and the challenges of achieving justice in high-profile cases.

Jobaaj Stories