Sins of our Mother

Director Skye Borgman (“Abducted in Plain Sight,” “The Girl in the Picture”) solidifies her standing as a master of this genre, skillfully weaving together present-day interviews with Vallow’s son Colby and her mother Janis Cox as well as investigative journalists and others close to the case; home video of the family; police bodycam footage from calls involving Vallow; news footage; and jaw-dropping audio of Vallow on phone calls and podcast recordings.

Ms. Borgman’s narrative rolls out clearly and with considerable momentum, given the convoluted cast of characters, names and locales. .... What’s electrifying about “Sins of Our Mother,” aside from the heinousness of the crimes, is Ms. Vallow’s own voice: At some point, multiple people had begun recording their phone calls with her, including son Colby Ryan.

Sins Of Our Mother is an intense retelling of an ongoing story, one that has more tragedy and twists and turns than even Shakespeare could come up with. And it’s all told in a very straightforward manner because with a story this intricate, there’s no real need for bells and whistles.

There is no doubt that this macabre tale is fascinating. But often it addresses only the how of it, and not the why. I couldn’t help wondering if it should have waited until its two chief suspects had stood trial – and a verdict been reached – to tell the story more completely.