I Thought Watching Netflix’s School Shooting Doc Would Feel Too Invasive, But One Line Changed That

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I wasn’t sure about watching the new Netflix documentary, All The Empty Rooms, at first. I’ve seen many documentaries about school shootings over the years – from award-winning films like Bowling for Columbine to newer ones like HBO’s Thoughts & Prayers. But the idea of seeing inside the bedrooms of the students who died felt like a violation of their privacy.

I almost didn’t watch it, but I’m so glad I did. While it felt a little strange at times, Joshua Seftel’s documentary—about a CBS News correspondent and photographer dealing with loss—included an interview with a father that completely shifted my perspective. Let me tell you what happened…

All The Empty Rooms Is One Of The Toughest Documentaries I’ve Watched All Year

As a critic, I’ve seen a lot of emotionally draining documentaries slated for 2025, but All the Empty Rooms is easily among the most impactful. Clocking in at just over half an hour, this film explores the bedrooms of children lost to school shootings, and honestly, I found myself reaching for the tissues more than once. It’s a devastating look at lives tragically cut short, told through the heartbreaking stories of parents who sent their kids to school expecting them to return. What really struck me was seeing the visible weight of it all on CBS News’ Steve Hartman and photographer Lou Bopp – it wasn’t just a story they were covering, it affected them, and that rawness comes through powerfully. Prepare to be gutted.

The short documentary was deeply moving and thought-provoking, forcing me to confront difficult emotions. Imagining the pain of the parents featured was particularly heartbreaking – it was an experience that truly affected me.

Despite Feeling Like An Invasive Tourist At First, An Interview With A Grieving Father Put It All Into Perspective

At the beginning of the documentary All the Empty Rooms, I initially felt like an outsider, intruding on a deeply personal tragedy. However, that feeling shifted when Charles Scruggs, whose daughter was among the children killed in the Nashville school shooting, explained why he and his wife chose to keep her bedroom exactly as it was – as a memorial.

The atmosphere of the room is comforting because it allows for moments of sadness, which are actually important for feeling connected to her.

Hearing that comment, and Scruggs sharing his deep wish to experience his daughter’s presence again, completely shifted my perspective. I stopped feeling like I was intruding and instead felt like I was supporting a grieving father as he worked to remember his daughter.

Throughout all the interviews with parents, it was deeply moving to hear them share stories about their children – their hopes, dreams, and the heartbreaking moment everything changed. It was a difficult experience, but it ultimately made me a more understanding and compassionate person.

I highly recommend the documentary All the Empty Rooms. If you’re a Netflix user and interested in learning more about grief and how we hold onto memories of those we’ve lost, it’s definitely worth watching.

Stream All The Empty Rooms on Netflix.

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2025-12-06 19:10