5 True Crime Documentaries you HAVE to watch – Available on Netflix
I’m back with some more reccomendations on what to watch if you’re a fan of true crime!
As someone who loves the true crime genre and all things mystery, I watch a lot of documentaries. These documentaries centre around the world of true crime and shocking stories that sometimes I simply cannot comprehend.
Because I watch a lot of these in my spare time, I like to share reccomendations for other true crime fans out there. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be jumping on these.
All of them are available to watch on Netflix at the time of writing this post.
5 True Crime Documentaries to watch
The Puppet Master: Hunting the Ultimate Conman
This recommendation is a 3 parter series that sheds light on the Conman who has been dubbed The Puppet Master.
In this tragic story there’s spy’s, heart break, fraud, kidnapping, abuse, manipulation and so much more that keeps you hooked throughout.
This Conman is one sick individual and the devastation he’s left on his trail of destruction is like something out of a movie.
With all the ingredients of a great documentary, this one will leave you wondering how any of it could have happened in the real world and for so long.
I found this docuseries to be extremely gripping. Every step of the way I wanted to know more, I needed to know more.
You hear from some of the people he’s interacted with and conned for over 10 years as well as family of those affected.
The man in question is Robert Hendy-Freegaurd, someone so charismatic, he easily charmed his way into people’s lives only to destroy them.
The abuse and manipulation here is astonishing, it simply feels like a story that’s been plucked from a Hollywood movie.
I give this series a 5/5 because it was really eye opening. The cinematography used and the way the stories are told is spot on. Definitely a must watch for true crime fans.
Girl in the Picture
Another documentary that feels like the story is that of a film plot.
Girl in the Picture is a documentary about the life and death of Suzanne Marie Sevakis. A tragic tale of a child’s abuse that grows into something even more Sinister.
From the beginning, the threat of something more violent and abhorrent going on in the shadows is prevalent.
You know there’s more to the story and you have to find out what it is. This draws you in and holds your attention effortlessly, letting the story unfold before your eyes.
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. A young girl who has no sense of identity as it’s been stripped from her by her “father”.
An evil man who, quite frankly, is a waste of oxygen.
The relentless violence and abuse Suzanne undergoes through her life is heartbreaking. Her story completely shatters that sense of fantasy we have about the world.
Suzanne’s story is tragic, not only for her, but her son. Essentially held captive, this young woman endured a myriad of abuse. There’s kidnapping, murder, abuse, fraud, violence and more.
I don’t want to give too much away about the story so as to not spoil it for you. But just know that it’s a roller coaster. Have the tissues at the ready.
The Ripper
The Ripper docuseries follows the story of The Yorkshire Ripper, Peter Sutcliffe.
I’m sure a lot of us are already aware of this story. Peter Sutcliffe is a well known serial killer from England who reined terror upon the British public from 1975 to 1980.
He claimed 13 victims over his 5 years of terror, all young women who were subjected to violence and abuse at his hands.
Although this series tackles his murders and the effects this had on the public, it also dives into how the police dealt with it all.
From misinformation to a blatant lack of care for important evidence and clues, we find out there were many opportunities to catch Sutcliffe.
I like that there’s an importance placed on how the women were talked about in and out of the media and among police.
The fact there was blatant misogyny and victim blaming throughout from the language used to describe the victims is just awful.
It really brought a whole new light to this story and the victims of Peter Sutcliffe.
The Ripper is a great watch for those who are interested in serial killers.
Keep Sweet, Pray and Obey
I always find religion based true crime interesting. The likes of Scientology, Latter-Day Saints and Heavens Gate grab my attention because I want to know why or how some people can be pulled into cults.
So, when I saw that Keep Sweet, Pray and Obey followed the story of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and its leader Warren S. Jeff’s, I just had to watch it.
I’ve heard about them before and watched stuff on Netflix about it, but I found this to be an extremely insightful docuseries. You hear from former members and get to know specific details of things that go on among this crowd.
I like that we get an explanation of what they believe in, who the leaders are and how they came to be. It explores how Warren becomes the leader and why he’s been arrested and charged.
There’s an underbelly of darkness and manipulation here, one that goes a lot deeper than what you may see on the surface.
From beginning to end, it’s interesting and holds your attention. It’s easy to binge this all in one go because once you start, you’ll not want to stop.
Conversations with a Killer: The John Wayne Gacy Tapes
Another serial killer docuseries that covers a well known murderer, Conversations with a Killer brings us the tapes from John Wayne Gacy’s interviews and first hand accounts of his crimes.
There are a lot of documentaries out there that cover Gacy and his crimes. It’s a story that’s been covered many time from Movies to YouTube videos and you’ve probably watch one or two.
But, this docuseries brings us the tapes and his first hand accounts of the events that lead him to being convicted of multiple murders of young boys.
Although I already knew a lot about Gacys story due to being fascinated by true crime, I found this series enjoyable to watch and interesting listening to him talk about things.
If you’re someone like myself who has to know everything and watches multiple documentaries and videos on the same serial killer, you’ll enjoy this. You may not find out a lot of new information, but it’s good to add to your watched list.
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Her Digital Coffee says
Great recommendations! I love true crime and have only watched The Ripper and The John Wayne Gacy Tapes. I can’t wait to check out The Puppet Master this weekend. Thank you for sharing your picks!
Basic With Life says
I’m a huge true crime documentary fan so I really appreciate this detailed list. I think I’ll watch The Puppet Master: Hunting the Ultimate Conman first and then Girl in the Picture. Thank you for sharing 😃
Lauren says
I haven’t watched any of these documentaries but I do like to watch crime shows. Thank you for sharing your suggestions.
Lauren
Colleen | ChooseYourUni says
Oooh great reco’s! I really enjoyed Keep Sweet, Pray and Obey – there are a few docs about the FLDS and this one is quite good. If you are a reader, Rachel Jeffs (daughter of Warren) has a memoir about how she escaped that is quite good. I haven’t watched the Gacy one because I think it would be too creepy!! The Puppet Master and Girl in the Picture are definitely going on my list tho!