There’s something so relaxing about hopping out of a nice hot shower, throwing on a face mask, lighting a candle, and crawling into my cozy bed after a long day, ready to scroll through Netflix for my next binge-worthy watch.
Recently, I’ve been finding myself loving true crime documentaries. They have the perfect amount of thrill, making them perfect background noise while cramming last-minute assignments or cooking dinner, but also being stimulating enough to make me mindlessly shovel snacks in my mouth in shock.
Here are my top five true-crime docu-series to watch right now:
1. Tiger King
This 2020 docuseries is a quick throwback to quarantine. For many, it reminds them of a simpler, but more uncertain, time.
The series primarily focuses on the rivalry between Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin, both of whom are flamboyant, larger-than-life big cat owners. The narrative twists include murder accusations, a mysterious disappearance, and a highly publicized criminal trial.
Directed by Eric Goode and Rebecca Chaiklin, at its core, “Tiger King” explores the chaotic and controversial lives of its central figures – as well as corruption, danger, and legal loopholes – in two detailed seasons.
This series is an absolute must-watch. Just when you think it can’t get any crazier, there’s a new perspective that you just can’t look away from.
No wonder it’s one of Netflix’s most-watched documentaries of all time!
2. The Vow
Content warning on this one! Deals with themes of sex trafficking, sexual violence, and other triggering themes.
This 2021 series is my personal favorite on the list. Directed by Jehane Noujaim and Karim Amer, the three-season story delves into the secretive world of NXIVM, a popular self-help organization that was later revealed to be a dangerous sex trafficking cult.
What’s even crazier is how huge this organization was. Members of the royal family, the Dalai Lama, and well-known celebrities assisted in upholding the prestige and financial power of NXIVM, making their leader, Keith Raniere, nearly untouchable.
The series is primarily told from the perspectives of former NXIVM members who spoke out about their experiences and the psychological power Raniere had over them. Their accounts show the deception and horror that was safely nestled beneath seemingly positive intentions.
It’s no wonder that this series became widely acclaimed for its exploration of cult dynamics and manipulative tactics. You can find it on HBO, Hulu, or Amazon Prime.
3. Devil In The Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke
Content warning! Physical abuse, mental abuse, and religious trauma are recurring themes in this series.
If you were a fan of YouTube family channels, this 3-part documentary will be especially disturbing.
Directed by Olly Lambert, “Devil in the Family” takes an in-depth look at the story of Ruby Franke, a mother whose abusive discipline methods and disturbing relationship with a mental health professional led to severe physical and mental abuse of her six children.
Franke justified her children’s abuse by claiming that there was a devil that possessed them, and the only way to cleanse them was to inflict harm on her children. The emotional and physical abuse they endured, along with their exploitation as child influencers, is a heartbreaking reminder of the dark side of online fame.
With chilling testimonials from her two oldest children, ex-husband, and family friends, this documentary dives into the horrors of child influencers, and the ethics of exploiting youth online.
This series has everyone talking, and you can find it on Netflix, Apple TV, or Hulu now!
4. The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez
Content warning! Neglect, physical abuse, and other extremely disturbing themes.
This heartbreaking 2020 documentary takes an in-depth look at the tragic case of Gabriel Fernandez, an 8-year-old boy who suffered unimaginable neglect and physical abuse at the hands of his mother and her boyfriend, which ultimately led to his death.
The docuseries exposes the failures of the social work system that allowed Gabriel to remain in a dangerous environment, even after multiple reports from teachers, family members, and friends were made to authorities.
This documentary is definitely not a binge-worthy watch, so it’s important to watch it with discretion. They show everything, from the crime scenes to the courtroom. So if you’re a true-crime rookie, there’s no shame in skipping this one for now.
This documentary is undoubtedly a gut-wrenching exploration of the flaws in our social work system. You can find it on Netflix for free!
5. Rotten Mango Series
Although it may seem a little bit different from the other series on this list, Rotten Mango, hosted by popular mukbanger Stephanie Soo, is not one to overlook. The series is semi-regularly updated on YouTube, so there’s always something new to discover.
Stephanie presents each case in a long-form video format (ranging from 45 minutes to two hours), making it perfect for those long cleaning sessions or a relaxing self-care day.
What makes “Rotten Mango” stand out is Stephanie’s engaging commentary, in-depth research, and thoughtful theories on each case. Plus, she has such an expressive face, so her reactions will constantly crack you up!
If you’re looking for true crime content with a more lighthearted and conversational vibe, this might be the series for you!
While this is certainly not an exhaustive list, there’s something on this list for every true crime enthusiast!
Let us know what else you’re watching this exam season @hercampussjsu!