Top 10 Real-Life Crime Documentaries on Netflix Guaranteed to Send Chills Down Your Spine
In today’s date and time, unfortunately, the truth can be much scarier than any fiction. True crime documentaries are becoming all the rage. It is not hard to see why, with people getting really creative with these crimes. It is scary to know how, behind those everyday faces could be murderers, con artists, or even serial killers. And, believe it or not, the most dangerous ones often do not look the part. Real-life crime documentaries capture such real events, and the suspense, the twists, and those chilling real-life stories keep viewers glued.
Every shocking revelation hits harder because, well, it actually happened. These are not fictional villains; they are real people who might just be living next door. If you are up for facing some spine-tingling truths, these crime documentaries on Netflix are waiting just for you.
Amanda Knox
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Going all the way to a new country, finding a place to stay, and finally settling down only to be murdered, is crazy, but believe it or not, it is true. Netflix documentary Amanda Knox takes you through the story of an American student caught up in a famous Italian murder case. While studying in Perugia, Italy, Amanda Knox faced accusations of murdering her roommate, Meredith Kercher. The media went nuts over this case, painting her as either a heartless murderer or just an unlucky soul trapped in a legal mess.
This docuseries will give you a front-row seat with personal stories from Knox, her ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, prosecutor Giuliano Mignini, and journalist Nick Pisa. It goes deep into the investigation, trials, and the media circus that followed. Critics have given it a thumbs up for being fair, with Rotten Tomatoes saying it "honors its subject with an absorbing – if slightly incomplete – look at the details and troubling implications of her arrest and subsequent fight for freedom."
Don't F**k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer
A single video online can break or make your life, as it is in the documentary "Don't F**k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer which starts off with an extremely gruesome video of a man asphyxiating kittens that went viral online, causing extreme outrage among pet lovers. Determined to bring this killer to justice, a young detective community came together on Facebook to give him the punishment he deserved.
This dedicated young online community did not give up- they went back and examined every clue in the video, which led to an even more shocking revelation that the cat abuser was also involved in murders. This series shows how you can probably use the internet to solve crimes that might otherwise remain unsolved.
Lover, Stalker, Killer,
When you love someone, you are cautious at first, but as time passes, you trust them with all your heart, and you never know if it will break you or blossom into something great. Unfortunately for this man, the only thing blossoming was his fear. Lover, Stalker, Killer talks about Dave Kroupa, who back in 2012, had just stepped out of a long-term relationship, and decided to try his luck with online dating. He then met Liz Golyar, a single mom, and not long after, he crossed paths with Cari Farver at his auto repair shop.
While things blossomed, Cari vanished into thin air, and Dave started receiving nonstop harassment and digital threats. He was living in a nightmare that just would not end. As the story moves on, you will uncover the tangled web of lies and deceit. It is one of those stories that makes you question how well you know someone.
Girl in the Picture
The Girl in the Picture is one of the docuseries that just grabs your attention from the start and does not let go. It starts off with a young woman's tragic death, which at first was like just another hit-and-run. As investigators dig deeper, they stumble upon a tangled web of lies. This woman, who left behind a little boy and an older husband, was not who she said she was. Her so-called husband, Franklin Delano Floyd, had actually kidnapped her as a child and many other things unravel that are sure to leave anyone baffled.
The documentary follows journalist Matt Birkbeck, who did not give up till he found the truth. He revealed the woman's real identity as Suzanne Sevakis and exposed Floyd's horrifying crimes. It is a tale that will stick with you, no doubt about it.
Jailbreak: Love on the Run
They say love drives you crazy, and it did so with Vicky White quite literally! Vicky White, an Alabama corrections officer’s world, flipped upside down when she crossed paths with Casey White, a dangerous inmate waiting for his murder trial. Their secret love story took off in no time. In the name of love, and acts of love, Vicky helped Casey escape his trial, and they disappeared. Their vanishing act set off a massive 11-day nationwide manhunt, grabbing attention far and wide, and making headlines around the globe.
This Netflix docuseries includes all the chats with Vicky's colleagues and former inmates, Jailbreak: Love on the Run spins a thrilling tale of forbidden love and just how far one woman went for the man she loved.
The Menendez Brothers
Back in 1989, Erik and Lyle Menendez turned the world upside down when they murdered their parents, Kitty and Jose, in their Beverly Hills mansion. The whole ordeal became a media circus, with everyone glued to their screens, fascinated by the brothers' spending sprees and their emotional breakdowns in court. In Netflix's documentary, The Menendez Brothers, and for the first time in almost thirty years, they are opening up about what led to that fateful night.
Featuring exclusive audio interviews with the brothers themselves, this Netflix documentary has created waves in support of the brothers. It is like peeling back the layers of an onion—family drama, trauma, justice—it is all in there. If you are a true crime buff looking for a fresh case, this documentary is definitely worth checking out!
Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey
Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey is not for the weak-hearted, as it heads into the eerie world of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), especially during the reign of Warren Jeffs. Now, Jeffs was not your average leader; he called himself a prophet, demanding absolute obedience from his followers. And boy, did that lead to some serious trouble - abuse, manipulation, and acts like you have never seen before!
What is truly chilling here is the firsthand stories from folks who managed to escape the FLDS. These personal accounts are woven together by director Rachel Dretzin, who also throws in some rare footage to give us a real peek behind the curtain. The documentary does not just lay out facts; it makes you feel the weight of what these people went through. And that is no small feat! So, if you are looking for something that will give you goosebumps—this series might just be your cup of tea.
Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer
Back in the mid-1980s, Los Angeles was living a nightmare. A shadowy figure, the Night Stalker, was on the loose. Richard Ramirez became a name that sent shivers down the spine, as he went on a year-long spree of violence that seemed to have no rhyme or reason. Men, women, kids—no one was safe, especially in their own homes. The city was frozen with fear, and the cops were under a mountain of pressure to nab him.
Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer is a must-watch four-part documentary series on Netflix that dives deep into this grim chapter of LA's past. With firsthand stories from survivors, investigators, and journalists, the series paints a picture of the terror that gripped the city.
The Tinder Swindler
Simon Leviev was living the dream life. He always wore designer clothes, flew around in private jets, and ate at the fanciest restaurants. To the women he met on Tinder, he appeared to be the perfect catch—a charming, rich businessman. But, it turned out to be a clever act. Leviev pretended to be the son of a diamond tycoon, using a fake identity to trap women in his schemes.
He played this smartly with a game plan: first, he would spoil the women with fancy gifts and sweet promises; then, he would claim to be in trouble with enemies and need cash. When in reality, Leviev was just using their money to keep up his luxurious lifestyle and con more people. His sneaky antics are all laid out in the Netflix documentary The Tinder Swindler, which reveals how he manipulated these poor women.
Worst Roommate Ever
Picture this: you finally move into your dream apartment, only to find out your new roommate is a total nightmare in the most literal sense of the word. Worst Roommate Ever, a thrilling Netflix docuseries, that will introduce you to true and terrifying tales of a roommate who turned out to be anything but ordinary. You will meet violent con artists and, believe it or not, cold-blooded killers.
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Each episode of the series does not disappoint, it takes you on a crazy ride through stories like the woman who murdered several tenants, the serial squatter who pulled off the ultimate con job, and the landlord with a seriously dark side. From the folks who brought you Worst Ex Ever, this series has two seasons ready to stream right now, giving you a reality check into the darkest cons of living with strangers. And if you like The Worst Roommate there are more true crime documentaries to watch and will keep you occupied.
From mysteries to revelations, these films will make you question just how well you know the truth. And as you watch them, you will feel the weight of these true events and the minds behind them. So, press play, and brace yourself for a chilling journey!
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Which real-life crime documentary gave you the chills? Let us know in the comments!
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Edited By: Itti Mahajan
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