The documentary "They Call Us Monsters" offers viewers a powerful look inside the Los Angeles County Juvenile Hall, where young people charged as adults await trial for serious crimes. Released in 2016 and directed by Ben Lear, this film provides rare access to a system often hidden from public view. Through the lens of a screenwriting class taught inside the facility, the documentary follows three teenagers—Jarad, Antonio, and Juan—as they grapple with their past actions while trying to envision a different future. The film raises critical questions about how society treats youth who commit violent offenses, challenging audiences to consider whether punishment or rehabilitation should guide juvenile justice policy. By presenting these young people as complex individuals rather than simply criminals, the documentary forces viewers to examine their own assumptions about crime, punishment, and the capacity for change. This examination becomes particularly relevant as debates continue about appropriate sentencing for juveniles and the long-term consequences of trying children in adult courts.
The American juvenile justice system has undergone significant changes over the past several decades, particularly regarding serious offenses. During the 1990s, rising crime rates led many states to pass laws making it easier to prosecute minors as adults, reflecting public fear and demands for harsher penalties. California law allows prosecutors to charge juveniles as young as fourteen in adult court for certain violent crimes, which can result in lengthy prison sentences without consideration of age or developmental factors. The documentary takes place against this legal backdrop, where young people face the possibility of spending decades behind bars before reaching full adulthood. Understanding this context is essential for appreciating the stakes involved for the teenagers featured in the film. The title itself references the dehumanizing language often used to describe young offenders, suggesting that labeling someone as a monster makes it easier to justify severe punishment without considering rehabilitation or the circumstances that led to their actions.
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Through the screenwriting workshop, "They Call Us Monsters" demonstrates how creative expression can help incarcerated youth process their experiences and develop critical thinking skills. The class instructor encourages the teenagers to write scripts that reflect their realities, allowing them to explore themes of violence, regret, family relationships, and hope. This process reveals their capacity for introspection and growth, qualities that challenge stereotypes about young offenders. Jarad, one of the main subjects, wrote a zombie film that serves as a metaphor for feeling trapped and dehumanized by the system. Antonio struggles with the weight of his charges while trying to maintain connections with his family outside. Juan, the youngest participant, shows remarkable vulnerability as he confronts the severity of his situation. These creative projects demonstrate that teenagers in detention possess the same imaginative capabilities and emotional depth as their peers on the outside. The documentary suggests that providing opportunities for self-expression and education could be more effective than purely punitive approaches in preventing future crime and helping young people develop into responsible adults.
The film also examines the broader social conditions that contribute to juvenile crime, including poverty, family instability, gang influence, and limited educational opportunities. Many young people who end up in the juvenile justice system have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect that shaped their behavior and decision-making. The documentary shows how these factors create pathways toward criminal activity, particularly in disadvantaged communities where violence may seem unavoidable. Rather than excusing harmful actions, this perspective encourages viewers to consider systemic issues that affect youth development and behavior. The families of the teenagers featured in the film often struggle with their own challenges, including incarceration of other family members, economic hardship, and limited access to mental health resources. These circumstances do not make criminal behavior inevitable, but they create environments where young people have fewer positive options and support systems. By highlighting these realities, "They Call Us Monsters" invites discussion about prevention strategies and community investments that might reduce juvenile crime more effectively than lengthy prison sentences. The documentary raises questions about whether society has a responsibility to address underlying conditions that contribute to youth violence.
The documentary's impact extends beyond individual stories to influence broader conversations about criminal justice reform and adolescent brain development. Scientific research has shown that teenage brains are still developing, particularly in areas related to impulse control, risk assessment, and long-term planning. This neurological reality suggests that young people are more capable of change than adults and may be less culpable for their actions due to developmental immaturity. Several Supreme Court decisions have recognized these differences, ruling that mandatory life sentences without parole for juveniles are unconstitutional. However, many young people continue to face adult sentences that do not account for their age or potential for rehabilitation. "They Call Us Monsters" contributes to these debates by presenting teenagers as individuals whose futures remain uncertain rather than predetermined. The film demonstrates that even young people charged with serious crimes can engage in meaningful reflection and growth when given appropriate support. This evidence challenges policies that treat juvenile offenders as irredeemable and suggests that society should invest more resources in rehabilitation programs that address root causes of criminal behavior.
"They Call Us Monsters" ultimately challenges viewers to reconsider their assumptions about juvenile crime and punishment by presenting young offenders as complicated human beings rather than one-dimensional threats. The documentary does not minimize the serious nature of the charges these teenagers face or ignore the pain experienced by victims of violence. Instead, it asks whether current approaches to juvenile justice serve public safety and fairness while helping young people develop into productive community members. The film suggests that creative programs, educational opportunities, and therapeutic interventions may be more effective than long-term incarceration for achieving these goals. By following the teenagers through their legal proceedings and showing the emotional toll of awaiting trial in adult court, the documentary reveals how the system affects young lives at a critical developmental stage. The film remains relevant as communities across the country continue debating how to balance accountability with recognition of adolescent capacity for change. Understanding these issues helps college students appreciate the complexity of criminal justice policy and the importance of evidence-based approaches that consider both public safety and human development.
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