On Trial: The Idaho College Killer is one of those true-crime documentaries that, despite its important subject matter, fails to deliver the emotional weight and storytelling precision it deserves. The tragedy at the heart of this case is horrific, and nothing can take away from the pain of the victims' families and friends. But in terms of execution, this series struggles to find its footing and ultimately comes across as dry, uneven, and unfocused.From the very beginning, the pacing feels sluggish. Each episode stretches thinly over 55 minutes, often repeating information or lingering on filler details that don't deepen the audience's understanding of the case. Instead of guiding viewers through a clear narrative of events, motives, and investigative breakthroughs, the documentary meanders between interviews, re-creations, and news clips that lack cohesion. It often feels more like a loosely strung collection of headlines than a structured exploration of one of the most shocking crimes in recent memory.There's also a recurring sense that the series doesn't quite know what it wants to be - part courtroom recap, part crime investigation, part emotional reflection - but it never commits fully to any of those angles. The editing choices sometimes make you question the authenticity or necessity of certain segments, as though some scenes were included simply to fill runtime rather than to inform or illuminate.The tragedy itself deserved a more gripping, empathetic, and clearly presented account. A full-length dramatized film could perhaps succeed where this documentary falls short, offering context and emotional resonance while giving the victims' stories the weight they deserve. Here, despite the filmmakers' intentions, that power feels diluted.By the end, On Trial: The Idaho College Killer leaves you less informed than you'd expect and more frustrated than engaged. The story is there - it's one that needs to be told - but the way it's told doesn't capture the gravity or clarity required. It's a misfire, one that never quite connects with the audience the way it should.