# American Conspiracy - The Octopus Murders *American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders* is a four-part Netflix true-crime documentary series, directed by Zachary Treitz and released on February 28, 2024. It follows Treitz and photojournalist Christian Hansen as they re-investigate the 1991 death of writer [[Danny Casolaro]] and the conspiracy he called "the Octopus." It is the most recent and most widely seen popularization of [[The Octopus]] frame. ## Overview The series examines Casolaro's death -- officially ruled a suicide -- and his theory of an international cabal linked to the [[PROMIS]]/[[Inslaw]] affair, [[Iran-Contra Affair]], and the [[October Surprise]]. Critical reception was generally favorable (around 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, 73 on Metacritic), but audience reaction was cooler, with many viewers frustrated that the series ends on hunches rather than resolution. ## Epistemic status The series' existence, makers, and reception are documented. Like the frame it explores, it raises questions about Casolaro's death without resolving them; its inconclusiveness is, in effect, the honest position the underlying evidence supports. ## See also - [[The Octopus]] - [[Danny Casolaro]] - [[The Last Circle]]