I Love You, Now Die
Challenging, unbiased docu about disturbing bullying case.
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
I Love You, Now Die
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that I Love You, Now Die is a documentary that examines the legal prosecution of teenager Michelle Carter, who was convicted of manslaughter for encouraging her long-distance boyfriend to die by suicide via phone calls and text. It has conversations, footage of court testimony, and disturbing images of conversation threads and social media posts that detail the events that transpired. There's some cursing, including "s--t" and "f--k," and posted threats on Facebook and Twitter aimed at the defendant are shown. Mental illness and teenage suicide are major themes, as is the role of digital technology. The impact of prescribed antidepressants on kids is also discussed. It's not intended for younger kids, and a challenging story to hear, but parents may want to watch with their older teens and discuss some of the issues presented.
Community Reviews
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
I LOVE YOU, NOW DIE is a documentary about Commonwealth v. Michelle Carter, a controversial court case surrounding a Massachusetts teenager's role in her boyfriend's suicide. On July 13, 2014, 18-year-old Conrad Roy died by carbon monoxide poisoning. The investigation into his death uncovered cell phone calls and text messages from his long-distance girlfriend, 17-year-old Michelle Carter, encouraging him to commit the act up until the very last moments of his life. Despite the lack of a state law forbidding coerced suicide, she was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter. The case received national attention, and raised several legal and ethical questions about free speech, and the use of digital technology as a means of assisting or coercing suicide. Interviews with Conrad Roy's family members, members of Carter's defense team, and journalists who covered the story unravel the details of the complicated case.
Is It Any Good?
This thoughtful documentary offers an intelligent and unbiased look at the disturbing details surrounding the case against Michelle Carter. It points to some of the legal ramifications of expanding current homicide and coerced suicide laws to consider communications via text and other digital media as potential evidence of punishable coercion. The role mental illness played in both teens' lives, and how this uniquely impacted the teens' relationship, is also a major part of the conversation.
But I Love You, Now Die doesn't provide any answers. Instead, it successfully broadens the narrative about the case by placing it within a larger social context, and raises questions about the the way family dynamics, popular culture, and all-to-willingly prescribed antidepressants played a role in the events leading up to and following Conrad Roy's death. It also looks at the media's role in creating an oversimplified and subjective public story about the case, which exploits cultural and sexist stereotypes. Overall, it's an excellent documentary that asks viewers to think about what happened from multiple points of view while considering the legal and moral value systems in which we operate.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the way I Love You, Now Die attempts to present the details of the case against Michelle Carter in an unbiased way. Was it successful?
What are the different ways media and technology can negatively affect kids' mental health? How much of a connection is there between online coercion and cyberbullying and suicide?
If you or someone you know is in immediate crisis, or is considering suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline for help. Parents: There are also helpful media tools available for support and assistance with helping your kids cope with many mental health issues. You can check some of them out here.
TV Details
- Premiere date: March 29, 2019
- Cast: Conrad Roy, Michelle Carter, Joseph Cataldo, Lynn Roy
- Network: HBO
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Last updated: February 27, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
-
Boy Interrupted
Haunting suicide/depression docu; watch with your teens.
-
3 1/2 Minutes, Ten Bullets
Emotional docu explores racism in Florida murder trial.
-
13 Reasons Why
Disturbing book adaptation sheds light on teen suicide.
For kids who love documentaries
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate