I know not every one enjoys a documentary but for me, documentaries are the best way to see the world in its real shape. I believe there are more than in the story and the subject themselves. We, as viewers can also learn from documentaries. I actually grew up watching Discover Channel, TLC and other Murder Mysteries, yes, I know, I even once dreamed of becoming a Forensic photographer but yeah, later on I think I don’t have the guts to be in that profession.

Anyway, why am I telling you this? Because just last week, October 8, Netflix has released a new documentary series entitled The House of Secrets: The Burari Deaths. This is the story about a family of 11 that was found dead in their home in Burari, India in 2018. Most of them were adults from three generations and minors. The dead bodies were found hanging as if it was a mass suicide however, some of the theories were that this is an act of murder. But the question is, how did this happen and who killed them? I know there’s so many question but in this documentary, all your questions will be asked.

What caused the death? Well apparently, they committed a ritual, in which they believed that their deceased father(elderly) will come back for them if they do this ritual. The family of eleven, were convinced since 2007 that the rituals were going to work. They tied each other together in one room including their mother who is the oldest in the family. I believe the news has been spread all over the internet so there’s no point of me writing details about. But this review is actually my main reaction about the whole damn documentary coz yes, I still feel so interested of it even after watching, I read articles about it and so many stuff. I buried myself in reading so many theories of it. Too much for geeking out right?

The documentary went straight on the investigation and I love how raw footages are that they were able to have clips of the bodies still hanging like a banyan tree. And what amazes me is how they were able to connect all the dots without going around confusing viewers. By detailing that this can be an act of suicide, while watching, I asked myself, “who wanted it?” I’m sure not all of them wanted to die and by the end of the documentary we uncover that this is actually a ritual planned for a vert long time by the father of the family passed on his children and grand children. The sad part is that while doing the ritual, they didn’t make it out alive.

As per my understanding the rituals goes from tying themselves like a banyan tree, the oldest one had to be tied in the nearest cabinet coz she is over weight and probably the pieces of torn clothes made into ropes won’t be able to carry her, the rest of the family were tied, the kids were tied including their hands and by doing this, as they struggle and chant, the eldest father who thought the ritual is believe to be coming back to save them.

Seeing the crime scene will just put you into devastating mood. In their diaries which were also shown in the series, it’s like these steps were meticulously planned. From 2007, they’re writing their thoughts and plans already, trying to repent for their sins every day and cleaning their souls. They have believed to have installed 11 pipes in their house to let the soul pass there or their souls go through those pipes to no one knows where and they install mysteriously 11 windows and steel bars in their home. I’m not sure if this is coincidence or well elaborated plan but hell, it’s some smart cringy-shit.

When I finished the 3 part series, I couldn’t believe that this is an actual ritual. I even asked some of my Indian friends about it and yes, I got so hooked by it. Topics like this makes my sense of interest go stronger and wilder and I believe if you see this documentary you will learn that everyone has their own secrets even a happy family of 11 can actually prey or sacrifice themselves to do what they believe in and to exercise what they think would help them as a human living on earth. The shocking revelations of the case may have been a surprise for the closest family members and I believe the pain of losing 11 in your family by just doing a ritual thinking it might save them from the mistakes and hell in this world, this is extremely devastating. Authorities cannot label this case as murder coz even evidence and footages show that the family had planned this entire ritual as one which means they know what will happen and what can it cause them, however, they didn’t anticipate the result of not being able to wake up again.

All in all, I salute the director and the writers of the documentary for a good interpretation and story telling of a gruesome event. `I definitely give this docuseries 87% wonderroanne rating.