Whilst the macabre appeal is not one for the masses, true fans are locked in. There is a fascination with true crime watching material that exposes our enthralment with the darkest crevices of the human psyche. Inherently sinister in nature, it’s difficult to describe what draws us into this ominous mediascape. Whether it’s the pursuit of justice and gunning for the good guy, the grey area of morality or the thrill of the chase, these documentaries have us in a chokehold.
Below is a list of the most unsettling – and memorable true crime documentaries to add to your watchlist.
1. Don't F**k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer
The title is one of one in itself. After an anonymous user uploads a video to Facebook showing two kittens being killed, a group of animal activists on Facebook go on an online manhunt. The makeshift detectives set out to find the man behind the heinous crime and, in turn, delve into the underbelly of digital vigilantism. Written and directed by Mark Lewis, this 2019 docuseries has endured for due reason. If you liked this, peep The Most Hated Man on the Internet, which is a disturbing watch, no doubt, but is equally internet-core.
2. Making a Murderer
Filmed over 13 years, this true crime documentary follows the story of Stevan Avery and Brendan Dassey, who get caught in a web of corruption. In the process of exposing corruption within local law, they find themselves being the primary suspects for the 2005 murder of Teresa Halbach. The reception of this documentary made sizable waves in the streaming realm and had onlookers in a chokehold. The truth lies on shaky ground in this one.
3. Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich
This documentary sheds necessary media light on the abhorrent crimes of offender Jeffrey Epstein. Convicted for child prostitution in 2008, Epstein served a one-year sentence, and then in 2019, was again arrested for sex trafficking. This documentary centres the stories of Epstein’s staff and survivors of his atrocities, including Virginia Giuffre and Maria Farmer. The series unveils the legal loopholes that protected Epstein, and exposes the system that failed his victims. This series is not for the faint-hearted and is a difficult watch, but essential to view in our current, quite grim climate. If you were hanging onto every detail of this series, it makes sense to follow it up with the Epstein web, which would be none other than Ghislaine Maxwell: Filthy Rich.
4. The Thin Blue Line
When it comes to true crime, The Thin Blue Line is the blueprint. Before the genre was trending, this documentary set the standards for what makes a documentary stand apart from the rest. Errol Morris’ 1988 work bridged the gap between investigative journalism and activism to such a tee that it is often described as one of the most pivotal documentaries to date. Setting out (and successfully) debunking a case against death row inmate, Randell Dale Adams, who has been framed for the murder of a police officer in Dallas, Texas. I watched this for a university subject last year, and unexpectedly, enjoyed it.
5. O.J. Made in America
This five-part series by Ezra Edelman traces the rise and fall of O.J. Simpson and capitalises on his narrative to reflect themes of race, fame and justice in the chaos of modern America – demonstrated through a lens of racial politics. Although the details of Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman’s deaths are the focal point of the series, Edelman extends his cinematic prowess to follow the timeline of Simpson’s life and the tension around the widespread dissemination of his trial. If you were hooked on this case, watch LA 92. Impeccable, no notes.
6. The Menendez Brothers
This documentary explores the convoluted tale of Lyle and Eric Menendez, the infamous brothers who enraptured the masses when they brutally killed their parents at their family home, at just 18 and 21. The documentary aired shortly after the series Monsters took Netflix – and TikTok – by storm in 2024, ultimately resurfacing the case. Below the surface, the story is one of built-up abuse, fear and violence that the brothers had endured since their childhood. After being sentenced to life in prison, this documentary resurfaces a story that made contless headlines at the time of the incident, and unpacks the story through a contemporary lens, leaving thinking room on whether the brothers were purely cold-blooded killers, or victims in an inescapable cycle of abuse? As someone who (contrary to the subject matter of this article) refuses to watch anything that provokes fear, this documentary – and the series alike – had me putting in some serious screen time.
7. Abducted in Plain Sight
The shock factor on this one cannot be understated. Following a repeated abduction of Jan Broberg by a family friend, who repeatedly manipulated the entire family. Be prepared to throw hands and audibly yell at the TV.
8. The Keepers
Directed by Ryan White, the premise of this documentary aims to uncover the truth behind the unsolved murder of Sister Cathy Cesnik, a beloved nun in Baltimore. When students set out to see behind the smoke and mirrors of her death, there lies a string of secrets – many of which the Church has covered up. Secrecy and silence span this piece.
9. The Innocence Files
Respectfully, you can’t be a true crime fanatic without watching The Innocence Files. One that explores just how easily wrongful convictions can occur, and just how devastating the ramifications are. Each episode traverses the details of one case at a time, exploring how false convictions and systemic bias can quickly spiral into devastating effects on the livelihood of the innocent.
10. Girl in the Picture
Directed by Skye Borgman, who is also the mastermind behind the documentary Abducted In Plain Sight, this one seeks to piece together a hit-and-run of a young mother as well as the abduction of her son. The murder catalysed a decade-long case of solidifying the woman’s true identity – entailing 20 years of deceit, fake names and abusive relationships. With twists and turns that you wouldn’t expect, Borgman keeps the victims at the forefront of this documentary, rather than caving to spotlighting the evildoer. Prepare to have your jaw on the floor.
11. The Perfect Neighbour
After having a theatrical release earlier this year, this documentary, which is directed and produced by Geeta Gandbhir, graced platforms last week. Set against the backdrop of suburbia, this documentary follows the harrowing murder of Ajike Owens. The case is entirely told through police body cam footage, which exposes the neighbourhood disputes.
12. The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst
This documentary chronicles the truths and secrets of real estate heir and certified oddball Robert Durst, told through a culmination of interviews, archival footage and Robert Durst himself. Without spoiling anything, we will enlighten you that this one is a waiting game – confessions lie below the surface until the final bow in The Jinx.
13. Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes
As spine-chilling as they come, this series sheds light on the notoriously twisted mind of Ted Bundy (also dubbed as The Jack Ripper of the United States), who was one of America’s most nauseating serial killers. The docuseries contains 100 hours of interviews, archival footage, statements from survivors and law enforcement officers who worked on the case while Bundy was on death row. Thirty years after his execution in 1989, Joe Berlinger produced this docuseries, which traces his life, crimes, arrests, escapes and his death in significant detail – too much detail at times. Pro-tip: don’t watch before going to bed.
14. The Tinder Swindler
Dating apps can feel like a hellscape on a good day However, The Tinder Swindler, Simon Leviev, takes catfishing to the next level, a con artist who manipulated three women out of millions and turned a fairytale into financial warfare. This documentary captures red flags on a whole other tier, and hones in on the fine line between digital fantasy and deception in our modern dating climate.
15. The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann
Few cases have captured public attention to the same degree as this one. The documentary provides a glimpse into the case of 3-year-old Madeleine McCann, who vanished on a family holiday in Portugal in 2007. This eight-part Netflix series revisits the case and the media frenzy that followed, and is a sobering look into how mass voyeurism can quickly turn tragedy into a public spectacle.
16. Mommy Dead and Dearest
The doc explores the death of Deedee Blanchard at the hands of her own daughter, Gypsy Rose Blanchard and her boyfriend. Gypsy Rose had suffered abuse for years, being forced to live in a chronically ill state, subjected to a wheelchair, fitted to a feeding tube and a breathing machine. All of which were proved fictitious in court, despite Deedee being her full-time carer, which was all built on lies for personal gain. An extremely head-scratching, yet gripping case that’s hard to look away from.
17. Sweet Bobby
The ultimate catfishing turns into a psychological nightmare in this Netflix documentary, which originally aired as a podcast. The plot follows the almost unbelievable story of Kirat Assai, who was manipulated for nearly a decade after befriending and falling in love with ‘Bobby’, who is supposedly an established cardiologist. Be prepared to shake your head in disbelief as this one unfolds. It’s on the lighter end thematically, and isn’t as gruelling a watch as the aforementioned documentaries. Prepare your popcorn.
18. The Curious Case of Natalia Grace
This one teeters between horror and pure absurdity. An American family adopted a six-year-old girl from Ukraine, only to claim she is a fully grown woman posing as an adult. What follows is quite the fever dream… buckle up.
19. Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel
Welcome to LA’s notoriously cursed hotel: The Cecil Hotel. The plot follows Elisa Lam’s disappearance, which is analysed through the lens of online speculation. The case catalysed one of the most morbid cases of internet folklore, online sleuthing and ultimately, obsession. The series critiques true crime voyeurism and how the line between tragedy and entertainment becomes blurred. If you liked this, we recommend watching Room 2806: The Accusation – whereby a corrupt narrative unfolds behind the façade of one of Paris’ most luxurious hotels.
