Is CHAOS: The Manson Murders based on a true incident? Details explored

CHAOS: The Manson Murders is an upcoming true crime documentary film that will be released on Netflix. The film will be exploring the infamous murders of Tate-Bianca from 1969 which were done from the orders of Charles Manson.

It's based on the non-fiction book CHAOS: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties which was written by Tom O'Neill with help from Dan Piepenbring. Netflix has released its official trailer which has reportedly intrigued all the fans of the true crime genre. Amid the buzz, there is also general curiosity among fans if CHAOS: The Manson Murders is based on a real incident.

Is CHAOS: The Manson Murders based on true events?

Yes, CHAOS: The Manson Murders is based on real events. This true crime documentary film will explore the background that led to the infamous murder of actress Sharon Tate and Leno LaBianca among others that took place in 1969 Los Angeles, California from three members of the Manson family. These murders were ordered by Charles Manson. The film is adapted from CHAOS: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties which explores various conspiracies and motivations around the case.

Possible links between the Manson family with CIA and LSD are also going to be explored in this film. Through archival footage, interviews, and Manson's own music, the film will be taking a look into an important event in recent American history.

In an official statement, Netflix said about CHAOS: The Manson Murders:

"The documentary invites viewers to question the roles of well-known players and powerful institutions alike in a thought-provoking exploration of the tumultuous era’s cultural and political undercurrents."

Errol Morris is directing CHAOS: The Manson Murders and he has called the killings peculiar. He said that the crux of the case lies in one question as to how Manson convinced others to kill someone. Stephen Kay, Tom O'Neill, and others have been interviewed for this docu-film.

Morris has said about the case to Rolling Stone:

“There will be so many questions about this murder that will never be answered. Or let’s just put it this way: I don’t have answers to them, and I’m not sure when those answers will be forthcoming. I guess never say never.”

But he is clear that Manson was not driven by the Helter Skelter theory projected by Vincent Bugliosi (the prosecutor had stated that these scenarios drove him to crime).

“I find Bugliosi’s version far-fetched. Do I believe the Beatles and ‘Helter Skelter’ and the whole dream of a race war motivated this story? I think it’s unlikely.”

Mentioning the conspiracy theory surrounding CIA experiments on Manson, Morris said:

“I think it is. Was that stuff going on? Yes. Was it going on with Manson? Maybe.”

The docu-film will also feature the music Manson had created. Morris has stated that he loved Manson's music.

“I like Manson’s music! Call me a fool. But I think there’s something really interesting [about it], and a lot of other people were interested in his music.”

CHAOS: The Manson Murders will be released on Netflix on March 7, 2025.