October is here, meaning spooky season has begun: stores are stocked with candy, people are planning their costumes, and it’s the perfect time to watch scary movies. However, if you’re anything like me and can’t watch a horror movie if you plan to sleep in the next three days, here are some Netflix crime documentaries that aren’t too scary to get you in the spirit:
- I Just Killed my Dad
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I Just Killed my Dad is a three-part docuseries that follows the aftermath of a son, Anthony, who calls 9-1-1 admitting to killing his father. What makes the series unique is the number of people related to the case who are interviewed, including lawyers who argued the case and even Anthony himself. As each new piece of evidence is presented in the case and each new witness shares their side of the story, the answer of who is truly guilty becomes increasingly complex.
Spooky Meter (out of five): 👻👻
- Our Father
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While not a murder documentary, Our Father, is equally as chilling. The documentary follows the story of a woman, Jacoba, as she unravels the mystery surrounding her strange DNA test results. By telling the story piece by piece chronologically from Jacoba’s perspective, the narrative becomes personal and connects to our internal desire of knowing where we come from. Ultimately, the film brings into question the idea of a chosen family and the dangers that couple with technological advancements.
Spooky Meter: 👻👻
- Sins of Our Mother
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Sins of Our Mother is a heartbreaking three-part docuseries that recounts how a single conversation leads Lori Vallow and her children down a dark path. Colby Ryan, Lori’s son, serves as the main interviewee in the series and provides a sympathetic and understanding perspective to a person the media was so quick to villainize. The series stands as a testament both to how dangerous apocalyptic ideologies can be as well as the strength of family bonds.
Spooky Meter: 👻👻👻
- Catching Killers
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Catching Killers is one of my personal favorite true crime shows on Netflix. In each episode, lead detectives of high-profile murder cases explain how they solved the case. Episodes involve reenactments of parts of the crime, which can be disturbing at times, but also draw you in by bringing you to the scene of the crime. The reenactments often show how little detectives can initially have in cases, creating greater respect for detectives while highlighting how pivotal the smallest detail can be to a case. While most murder shows are shown from a spectator’s perspective, Catching Killers allows you to solve the case alongside the detectives.
Spooky Meter: 👻👻👻
- Girl in the Picture
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Girl in the Picture is your tried and true serial killer documentary. When investigative journalist, Matt Birkbeck, gets ahold of the picture of a father and his young daughter, who was later found murdered, he realizes everything may not be as it seems. The deeper Birkbeck digs, the more questions he has. The documentary is a haunting reminder of just how costly incomplete police work can be, and the fact that money reigns supreme in the justice system. Girl in the Picture will undoubtedly fill you with anger, disgust, and fear as you watch investigators explain how they finally cracked the cold case.
Spooky Meter: 👻👻👻👻
- American Murder: The Family Next Door
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American Murder: The Family Next Door is a terrifying documentary following the disappearance of a wife, Shanann Watts, and her two children. The documentary is a deep dive into a case that gained the attention of the nation. From showing the film evidence police had to prove Shanann came home after a girls trip, to police interrogations, stranger interviews, and lie detector tests, the documentary shows all the evidence police had to piece together. While police do eventually solve the case, the cold-blooded nature of the case probably doesn’t make it an ideal film to watch before bed.
Spooky Meter: 👻👻👻👻👻