As the genre has grown more sensational to compete with scripted drama, the industry faces a crisis of ethics.

A compelling entertainment industry documentary always needs a villain. However, the genre has faced criticism for "trial by documentary." When you watch Surviving R. Kelly or The Phantom of the Open, the editing room becomes the courtroom.

Recent debates have centered on whether these documentaries exploit victims for a second time (by replaying traumatic footage) or whether they serve a public good by holding powerful abusers accountable. The best docs in the space—like Amy (2015) about Amy Winehouse—walk a tightrope, using archival footage not to gawk, but to grieve.

Sometimes, the artist takes control of their own narrative.

These focus on a single film or show that ruined a career or a studio.