As a psychological profile of its subject, this documentary about the so-called “mastermind” behind the Bling Ring burglaries isn’t as rigorous as it should be — but as a portrait of that hyper-materialistic era and our never-ending obsession with fame, it fares much better. Rachel Lee was identified as the “ringleader” of the teenagers’ crime spree by some of her accomplices but had never spoken in public until this documentary. That suggests a juicy exposé; in line with this impression, Lee initially presents as starkly self-aware. However, our trust in her ability to give us a truly honest account soon crumbles as she lists off rather weak reasons for her crimes: her middle-class upbringing and parental divorce (though her teenage experiences with drug abuse are more plausible explanations).

Though the film points out the logical flaws and inaccuracies in Lee’s account, it never really takes her to task for them, compromising the rest of her contributions. What is more incisive is its treatment of ancillary figures in the scandal (a fame-obsessed investigating officer and a Bling Ring victim-influencer) — examples which, coupled with the doc’s examination of the flashy excess of the ‘00s, lay out a much clearer picture of the kids’ motivations than much of what Lee offers.

The film’s lengthy interviews with Lee and the only victim of the robberies featured here are conducted against luxurious backdrops, meaning our empathy for their suffering can’t help but hit something of a ceiling. An exception to that effect comes by way of Lee’s father, who surrendered custody of her to her mother after hitting hard times during her childhood. A professional gambler, rumors float through the film that he may have buried some of his daughter’s loot in the Las Vegas desert when the police closed in, before then disappearing to South Korea for two years. He’s the most colorful character in the film by far (perhaps a subtle hint that the Bling Ring story is no longer as fascinating as it once was) but he also brings a sober reminder of the consequences Lee's actions had on her loved ones. In a true-crime doc where we’re never sure what to believe — and never too devastated by the effects the robberies had on the wealthy burglars or the mega-rich victims, either — his participation in the film is the sole element grounding it in a welcome bit of reality.