In a day and age where stories of cyberbullying, online harassment, and doxxing are becoming more and more commonplace in real life, "Audrie & Daisy" stands out as essential viewing. | 10 Disturbing True Crime Documentaries You Can Only Watch Once Stars: Documentary, Crime. Alison Foreman, Entertainment Reporter, How to watch: Mommy Dead and Dearest (Opens in a new tab)is now streaming on HBO Max. Director Jason Pollock and his team crafted a documentary that takes a harsh look at the strange circumstances around Kendrick's death. Related: Aileen Wuornos: Depraved Serial Killer or Countercultural Icon? He posted a video of Lins killing and dismemberment online and he also cannibalized her remains. "The Mystery of D.B. But theres much more to this story than you may think. Caroline Pressley, Votes: (There) are certain things that changed about me and they might not change back. He took his own life at the age of 22-years-old. It may sound like fiction, but every bit really happened. Threw it on as background noise because I like true crime. 38 Disturbing Documentaries Lists about some of the most shocking and upsetting documentary films Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer. Clay Rogers, Making a Murderer. This two-part limited series speaks with Wall's friends and colleagues, resurrecting her story and revealing her legacy. Park Dietz. Stars: In 2015, Browder was restarting his life at Bronx Community College whilst suffering from depression. In 2001, Michael Perry and Jason Burkett committed three brutal murders in a Texas town. Directors: Few documentaries are as heart-breaking, horrifying, and disturbing as Trials of Gabriel Fernandez. RELATED: International True Crime Docuseries to Watch on Netflix. There is a reason this harrowing tale hasnt been picked up by any other streaming platform, though its too disturbing, and theres no happy ending. Director: Thanks for signing up. A vodka bottle was also found in the minivan after the crash. Documentary on the Friedmans, a seemingly typical, upper-middle-class Jewish family whose world is instantly transformed when the father and his youngest son are arrested and charged with shocking and horrible crimes. If you found interest in the dramatization, then this documentary is most definitely required viewing. (Opens in a new tab). Juliet Stevenson, Featuring themes of child sexual abuse, incest, and the torture and murder of a young mother with an intellectual disability, this film is not for the faint-hearted or weak-stomached. Filmmaker Anthony Jarecki initially set out to make a documentary about popular New York City entertainer David Friedman titled Just A Clown. Hayley Petit, | Tying in with the Satanic Panic experienced by the West Memphis Three, the claims from children as young as three were so outlandish it's impossible for today's audience not to critically reflect on how much fear can override logic. Its just really fucking bizarre Ken Magid, What followed can only be described as mass hysteria with devastating consequences. Joshua Komisarjevsky spotted Jennifer Hawke-Petit and her 11-year old daughter in a grocery store and followed them home. Buckey also happened to be a preschool teacher and Johnson's estranged husband. Through interviews with Kendrick's family and friends, it paints a clear picture of who he was before his untimely death. The survivors are incredibly brave when speaking about what they went through, but viewers will find it disturbing, to say the least. The low-budget documentary was a hit worldwide grossing more than $3 million at the box office and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature. The documentary had actually been in production prior to Epstein's death and even his arrest having been made in secret to avoid any complications. HBO Max has you covered with a wealth of documentaries that explore curious cases, horrendous homicides, outrageous criminals, and much, much more. Durst is cold and aloof as he recounts the disappearance of his wife, his close friend's murder (right before she planned to tell police Durst killed his wife), and the fact that he managed to escape justice for a while, anyway. Cooper threatened the crew and passengers of a commercial flight, and then, with the fortune he demanded on his person, parachuted into the dark, chilly forest below, never to be seen again. The quote was, Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. The series looks at the intriguing events and the subsequent investigations that, even today, haven't resulted in the discovery of the culprits. While working as a fringe investigative journalist in the 1990s, David Holthouse was privy to an odd and frightening night in the remote forests of Northern California. The most disturbing true crime cases continue to prompt filmmakers to capture these atrocities and their effects on the small screen. Andrea Vogt It's a particularly intriguing true crime entry, considering it allows for a broader discussion of how justice is or isn't carried out internationally in a genre typically dominated by western audiences. Six suspects would be collected by local police. 629 min Rachele Dryden-Smith, * Kristy Puchko, Deputy Entertainment Editor, How to watch: The Lady and the Dale(Opens in a new tab) is streaming on HBO Max. The most disturbing true crime cases continue to prompt filmmakers to capture these atrocities and their effects on the small screen. Documentary, Crime, Drama. Imagine if an urban legend you believed in childhood actually turned out to be true? Mommy Dead and Dearest (2017) 3. The documentary features interviews with friends, family, fellow students and key investigators who all elaborate on these multilayered events. Released in 2012 and co-directed with his daughter Sarah, the documentary details the people and events involved in the Central Park Jogger case of 1989. Even if you are already aware of Epstein and the gist of his crimes, this documentary will serve as quite the eye opener as to just how sickening and severe they were. | 70 min And while there's plenty you'll want to research about the case after seeing the movie seriously, you've got 25 years of legal developments that aren't accounted for here it remains one of the most well-regarded perspectives on the disturbing crime available, not to mention an utterly transfixing viewing experience. Filmed openly enough for the viewer to make up their mind on the guilt of the aforementioned Three, Paradise Lost consists of raw footage from the investigation and subsequent trial. Between 1979 and 1981, at least 30 Black children were abducted and murdered. Related: Where They Are Now: The West Memphis Three, 6. Her blood alcohol content was reportedly .19% at the time of the collision, but Schuler had no history of alcoholism and had appeared sober to witnesses shortly beforehand. They managed to disturb audiences so greatly; that it was near impossible to stream them more than once. Viewers are introduced to Alex, who recounts the horrifying abuse he suffered at the hand of his ex-girlfriend, Jordan. On July 13, 2014, 18-year-old Conrad Roy died by suicide in a Kmart parking lot in Massachusetts. Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story. Led by New Zealand journalist David Farrier, also known for his Netflix series Dark Tourist, this documentary turned expos uncovers abuse suffered by some participants at the hands of their producers. David Rudolf, Using archival material such as photos and audio recordings combined with animation and photo collages "The Lady and the Dale" paints a succinct picture of the story. 60 min Alison Foreman is one heck of a gal. Bagbys best friend Kurt Kuenne set out to make this heart-breaking film that pairs home movies and interviews with relatives. In today's killer crime documentary, we're covering the case of the most DISTURBING murder you've NEVER heard of: THE MAJUBA MURDERS. In "Sasquatch," Holthouse tries to piece together the who, what, and why of the bizarre murder. Director Sam Pollard tackles one of the most troubling crime trends in American history in Atlanta's Missing and Murdered: The Lost Children(Opens in a new tab). Karen Gillis-Tinlin, The two briefly disclosed their abuse on their reality show The Two Coreys, and in 2020 Feldman released an explosive self-made documentary titled (My) Truth: The Rape of 2 Coreys. If you're in the mood to watch something that's terrifying, riveting, and will keep you on the We've scoured the lot to select the 20 best true crime documentaries on HBO Max. Stars: In the latter half of the documentary it's shown how the two despite their young age were tried and convicted as adults for their actions. Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michele Knight were discovered after a neighbour heard screams from Ariel Castro's house. Documentary, Biography, Crime. The documentary details how the duo stabbed their friend Payton Leutner 19 times and left her for dead in the woods. Garbus prioritizes deep and complex analysis over a tidy narrative in her take on the case. He sent out three bombs to three separate people in the Salt Lake City area, resulting in two deaths the third bomb going off by accident in Hofmann's own car. His enraged parents campaigned to gain custody of their grandson and finally convict their sons killer. Featured promotional still from "The Cheshire Murders" via HBO Documentary Films. Directors Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky's Paradise Lost is an essential true crime watch that always strikes a nerve. A.F. | Tinder users like Cecilie Fjellhy, one of his victims, matched up with a charming, good-looking, wealthy businessman. One of the most disturbing documentaries on Netflix, Our Father was made by Jason Blum and Lucie Jourdan. Related: 25 True Crime Documentaries You Can Stream on Netflix Right Now. Satiate your morbid curiosities with true crime documentaries ranging from unsolved murders to terrifying urban legends. Nicholas Barclay, A Green Beret Army surgeon, MacDonald is sent to prison for the murder of his two young daughters and his pregnant wife. He and his accomplice, Steven Hayes, claimed they only planned to rob the family. | Denniss Joyce, RELATED: 15 Of The Most Disturbing Documentaries Of All Time. But when you get to the end, its about: how do you want to treat kids?. The documentary is offered as a gift for Bagbys orphaned young son, so he can know something of the father he lost. They were busy looking for the children, they were focusing on the people of interest, but being able to interview neighbors, friends, people that even knew the children, the families, and so forth, we were able to put together an entire history of what had transpired and I think, for us too, it was clear that Cropsey and that urban legend was very connected to Andre Rand specifically because we had laid it out and it was clear.. "Evil Genius" details the death of Brian Wells, which occurred during what many refer to as the "pizza bomber" case. There are numerous anticipated true crime docuseries this year, which include All American Nightmare, Under the Bridge and more. Sarma Melngailis used to run Pure Food and Wine, a highly regarded New York City restaurant where everything on the menu was both completely free of meat and animal products and organic too. But in Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn, director Muta'Ali entertains the other theories that were considered in the 1989 shooting death of the Black 16-year-old just enough for you to understand the power of the white narrative Hawkins' family was up against when seeking justice. Vice magazine reported, Its harrowing and upsetting, and it will haunt you for a long time, which is part of what it makes it necessary viewing.. A.F. So check back here monthly as we keep you up to date on the very best true crime documentaries out there. Buckle way, way up. In this haunting documentary from director Irene Taylor Brodsky, we revisit the 2014 attempted murder of 12-year-old Payton Leutner. Andrew Bagby, She's also a writer in Los Angeles, who used to cover movies, TV, video games, and the internet for Mashable. After Shamblin's death in a plane crash in 2021, more and more has been uncovered about who she really was and what truly went on behind the curtains. After Vera Jo had the baby, she lived with the Brooks family as their personal slave and Cheri cashed in the vulnerable new mothers disability checks. The documentary directed by Ford's own brother Yance - is far from an easy sit, but it's a necessary one especially amidst current racially charged issues. Welcome to Action Park! A documentary centered on a young man in Spain who claims to a grieving Texas family that he is their 16-year-old son who has been missing for 3 years. Tania Head, That's because it basically is only it's true. Overall Class Action Park is a wild documentary about a truly wild place - youll come for the descriptions of the insane rides and stay for the nuanced exploration of nostalgia and childhood in the 1980s. Stephanie Slater was held captive in a coffin for 8 days. Still, Schulers family refuses to accept this explanation as they believe Diane never used drugs or alcohol and that other possible medical complications were the real cause for her erratic driving. Abducted in Plain Sight. | 10 Most Disturbing True Crime Documentaries (& Where To Stream Them) 1 'The Betrayed Girls' (2017) 2 'Tickled' (2016) 3 'Goodnight, Sugar Babe: The Killing of Vera Jo Reigle' (2013) 4 The 'Paradise Lost' Trilogy (1996 - 2012) 5 'Uncovered: The McMartin Harleigh Cutts (she/her) BA (ProfWrtgPublish) in prog. Kendrick Johnson, a student at Lowndes High School, was found dead inside of a rolled-up gym mat back in 2013. Amazingly, Durst manages to escape justice right until the end, when he gives himself away to the filmmakers with a stunning mistake. It's a sympathetic but truthful account that will leave you with plenty to chew over. Dan Barnes, Yet, these following true crime documentaries all went far beyond what was considered casual true crime viewing. 26,197 Directed and produced by Kate Davis and David Heilbroner, The Cheshire Murders chronicles a horrific home invasion that devastated a small town in Connecticut. This is due to Wells, a pizza delivery man, being forced to commit the crime via an explosive bomb strapped to his neck. Based in Perth, Australia, Harleigh writes for Collider and Medium while producing podcast scripts and performing lead vocals in her band Night Shift. 1. Here are the top 10 most disturbing documentaries, according to Reddit: Theres Something Wrong With Aunt Diane. Her unrelenting passion for justice leaps from the page and screen even now, and will serve as an inspiration always. Kathleen Bagby, Votes: Now, its completely normal to stream documentaries about death and misery whilst sipping your morning cup of coffee. Jaycee Dugard, The murder of Yusuf Hawkins was a hate crime, no question. I also want to get the Early Bird Books newsletter featuring great deals on ebooks. For decades, her story has been framed by those who despise her, resulting in a narrative rife with speculation and transphobia. The slick editing and great pacing it makes for a great watch. Six-year-old Beth talks to a therapist about the horrific abuse she has suffered as well as the abuse she inflicts upon small animals and her own brother. Woody Allen's alleged sexual abuse of his daughter had been a well known topic well before this HBO documentary series came out. Below are some of the best true crime documentaries currently on Netflix. Adam Rosenberg, Senior Entertainment Reporter, How to watch: McMillions (Opens in a new tab)is now streaming on HBO Max. The series features old home videos and various interviews with family members, the most damning being Dylan Farrow, Allen's accuser. A portrait of three of the UK's mature prostitutes who sell sex in hotel rooms and their homes. How to watch: Who Killed Garrett Phillips? The Female 'Tinder Swindler' and 9 Other Disturbing Killer Women Documentaries By Harleigh Cutts Published May 25, 2022 Evil knows no gender. Brendan Chellis, 27 min Abducted In Plain Sight is well-known as one of the most frustrating and strangest true crime documentaries of all time. A.F. Carey Gibson, Murder among the rich and famous. Murder On Middle Beach & 9 Other Great True Crime Shows Only On HBO Max. "Cocaine Cowboys: The Kings of Miami" - a six part Netflix documentary series - tells the story of Sal Magluta and Willy Falcon. In 1993, the naked bodies of three young boys were found in the woods, hogtied with their shoelaces. Later, it was discovered he was shot and killed by his ex-girlfriend; who then fled to Canada, where she was able to walk free on bail. from Mashable that may sometimes include advertisements or sponsored content. Wanda Barzee, But during the filming, Friedmans brother and father were accused of child sex abuse. This documentary is more like a horror film but the events are disturbingly real. Be prepared to get angry, as unfortunately, the handling of this case and the consequences for the perpetrator are woefully unjust. (Opens in a new tab). 279 min She is married, queer, a husky and rottweiler parent, and enjoys anything spooky or true-crime-related. It's a very unpleasant, very warts-and-all look at a very disturbing and murky situation. Schuler was behind the wheel with five children in her SUV. Stars: Unlike most true crime documentaries, which are told by curious but ultimately external filmmakers, "Love Fraud" is an on-screen crusade. * Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter, How to watch: Class Action Park (opens in a new tab)is now streaming on HBO Max. The following two films, released in 2000 (Paradise Lost 2: Revelations) and 2012 (Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory) are equally important viewing. Carter takes viewers into the heart of the media storm that erupted when the two were found dead in 2008. Tom Roberts, Anthony Meoli, (Opens in a new tab). Yes! Borgman told Vanity Fair, It is incredibly challenging to understand why and how these people went through this, but thats part of the story. Adding, There were times when the family was just so frustrating to me.. Any good true crime documentary should be able to keep the viewer guessing even if the information presented is public record. Morbid enthusiasts have embraced the mainstream attention and subsequent content boom, but what happens when youve wrung dry your go-to steaming services and are left thirsty for more? Director: Arthur Ginsberg In doing so, he delves into a secretive community in the area, where former hippies dropped out of society and illegally farmed marijuana. It's a story you'd swear sounded 100% like Hollywood fiction, but it's real, and this documentary discusses it from every unbelievable angle. Mashable is a registered trademark of Ziff Davis and may not be used by third parties without express written permission. Jaycee Dugard, 10 Most Disturbing True Crime Documentaries (& Where To Stream Them). More than a tale of tragedy, Undercurrent explores the humanity in journalism and the horrors of toxic masculinity. A 13-year-old boy disappears from Texas. Britain's racism and classism were on full display in the mishandling of early reports, and this film does a great job of getting to the core of what should have been focussed on from the start: exploitation. Mark Murphy, Founder of Crime Viral community since 2015. The West Memphis Three: An ID Murder Mystery. The apparent fetish seemed to go beyond hypothetical imagery, when Valle began improperly accessing the National Crime Information Center database through his NYPD credentials and drawing up comprehensive abduction plans for women he actually knew.