Death in Apartment 603: What happened to Ellen Greenberg (2025)

A review of the documentary.

What Happened in Apartment 603 is a gripping and infuriating documentary that exposes the cracks in a criminal investigation that never quite added up. From the very beginning, viewers are confronted with a cascade of police missteps—evidence overlooked, procedures ignored, and a general lack of urgency that feels almost negligent. The absence of hallway cameras in the apartment building is one of the most frustrating details, a simple security measure that could have provided critical clarity in a case clouded by ambiguity.

The film presents multiple theories surrounding the death at the center of the story, and while the simplest explanation might point to Sam as the perpetrator—possibly staging the scene to resemble a suicide—the documentary doesn’t dismiss the possibility of an outside intruder. It’s this tension between plausibility and doubt that keeps the viewer engaged. What’s truly baffling, however, is the official ruling of suicide. The nature of the wounds, described as chaotic and frenzied, challenges the very idea that they could have been self-inflicted. It’s a detail that lingers, casting a long shadow over the credibility of the investigation.

Dr. Osborne, the medical examiner tasked with evaluating the case, also comes under scrutiny. Whether due to exhaustion, systemic pressure, or simple human error, his conclusions seem rushed and lacking in depth. The documentary subtly suggests that he may have been overworked, a reminder of how institutional strain can lead to devastating oversights. Despite these flaws, the production itself is polished and emotionally resonant, thanks in large part to Dakota and Elle Fanning, who bring sensitivity and focus to a story that could have easily veered into sensationalism.

Ultimately, What Happened in Apartment 603 is less about solving a mystery and more about exposing the fragility of the systems meant to protect us. It’s a sobering look at how truth can be obscured by bureaucracy, fatigue, and flawed assumptions—and how justice sometimes slips through the cracks.