I don’t know if it has something to do with the lack of genres left due to binging throughout the past year or what, but I have really taken a liking to true crime on Netflix and it has me deep into a rabbit hole that I did not plan on going through. The mystery documentaries were always boring to me and I never took the time to sit down and actually watch them enough to become invested, but it seems like every night that I have time to sit down and watch something, I am hooked into a limited series that is so compelling that I have to finish it before I go to bed. Over the past few months I have compiled a master list of true crime documentaries or limited series that have left me shook and essentially staring at my TV in astonishment. I am going to list out the different titles in order if you are just wanting to be introduced to true crime because I think there is a method to the madness for this genre.
- Unsolved Mysteries
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This is where it all started. I hadn’t really watched my true crime at this point, but I like shows that are different every episode like Black Mirror is structured. So I jumped right into this one (actually starting on season 2) and I was immediately hooked. Even though the title clearly states “unsolved,” I was still appalled each episode when it ends without a conclusion, but that ended up being my favorite part of watching this show because I was able to theorize what I thought happened and my friends and I were able to debate our theories with each other. It turned into a really fun game and I still am convinced that all of my theories are correct. I am going to list out the top 3 episodes that are the best (in my opinion) in case you are unsure where to start. I would recommend “13 Minutes,” “House of Terror,” and “Lady in the Lake.” These episodes have the most interesting characters involved and it leaves room for a lot of theories and possibilities for explanations.
- Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez
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This one was an intense one to watch because it dealt with a lot of issues and medical science that added a lot of complex layers to Aaron Hernandez. Even after watching the whole series, there are many unanswered questions about the crimes that were committed and how everyone was actually involved. I enjoyed this limited series because it was a case that I remember being in the media and a mainstream media case because of Hernandez’s relationship with the NFL. This one is a great introductory series because it is a few episodes that can be broken up over the course of a few days.
- The Staircase
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If you’re in it for the long haul, this series is a very long and complicated documentation of several court cases as well as the coverage of many years of trials. This one gets pretty in depth with the inner workings of the court system and how the courts do have the power to control someone’s future. The documentary really gives a close up look into what it would be like if you were on trial yourself and how out of control you would feel. I liked this series because it took a different approach to analyzing a crime and documenting it. I would recommend you break this one up because it is very long and it was best for me to watch a few episodes and take a couple of days of break and then pick it up again.
- The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez
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This one hurt. This one hits the heart in a different way becuase it involves the murder of a child and how the social work system failed him. Even though this one is a hard on to watch emotionally, it is a very well done documentary that shows the court cases of the many different people involved in Gabriel’s murder. This one had me shouting at my TV at the people on trial and had me on my bed staring at my TV in amazement. I had to finish this one in one sitting, so I would block out a good chunk of time for this one.
- Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer
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Holy crap was this one amazing. I have watched it two times already and I am tempted to watch it a third time. The 80’s inspired theme adds a nostalgic vibe to the series and almost makes you feel as though you are watching an 80’s crime tv spoof. The police and force that worked to catch the Night Stalker add amazing depth and insight into what it is actually like to catch a serial killer and the emotional toll that it can have on everyone involved.
- Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel
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This one is just spooky. I found myself changing my hypothesis every couple of minutes and trying to keep up with all of the bizarre facts that were involved in this case. The Cecil Hotel alone has so many unexplained mysteries and past tragedies that make you want to believe that the hotel is cursed. The erie vibe throughout the entire series with the mix of interesting characters, adds a confusing aspect that kept me hooked the whole time. If you aren’t for unexplained endings, this one is a good one because there is a good amount of closure at the end.
- American Murder: The Family Next Door
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This is one of those documentaries that leaves you just in pure astonishment that someone could do something like that. The whole time I watched this, my skin crawled as I listened to the killer lie to the police and try to manipulate the camera crews. It is so crazy to watch someone behave in a way like that. It almost doesn’t seem possible, which is honestly the whole appeal of true crime in my opinion.