If you enjoy sensational true stories filled with murder, betrayal, and dark deeds, you’re in for a treat; Netflix offers a plethora of documentaries that will astonish even the most devoted true crime enthusiasts.
Be prepared, as these documentaries are not for the fainthearted. If you have an appetite for the macabre, you’ve come to the right place.
Lover Stalker Killer (2024)
What it’s about: Dave Kroupa is an ordinary divorcee, striving to find love. However, when one of his dates mysteriously disappears, he becomes embroiled in a disturbing tale of betrayal, stalking, and murder.
Why we like it: Dave’s experience could have easily inspired a segment of Worst Ex Ever. It’s a captivating narrative, featuring Kroupa himself sharing his harrowing story and insightful commentary from various colorful individuals involved in the investigation, including the tech expert Tony Kava. IYKYK.
Words by Daisy Phillipson
Abducted in Plain Sight (2017)
What it’s about: In 1974, Jan Broberg was kidnapped by her neighbor in Idaho, and two years later, he abducted her again. This would normally be enough for a gripping documentary, but the tangled web of shame and complicity surrounding the events makes it even more disturbing.
Why we like it: This documentary compels viewers to scream at their screens. Over 91 intense minutes, the chilling saga of the Brobergs unfolds, revealing shocking twists at every turn. Similar to Worst Ex Ever, it showcases a suburban horror story, highlighting how an apparently creepy crime can hide even darker truths.
Words by Cameron Frew
American Nightmare (2024)
This documentary follows the ordeal of a woman and her partner Aaron Quinn, who faced accusations of being hoaxers after she returned from a traumatic experience, with detectives dubbing it the “Gone Girl kidnapping.” American Nightmare chronicles their struggle for the truth.
Why we like it: If you felt anger watching Worst Ex Ever, American Nightmare offers a similarly frustrating but compelling narrative that invites you to question a system that casts victims as suspects.
Words by Daisy Phillipson
Tickled (2016)
What it’s about: David Ferrier embarks on a whimsical story about competitive endurance tickling, an obscure online sport involving young men restraining and tickling each other. His investigative journey is met with unexpected hostility, foreshadowing the troubling “empire” he uncovers.
Why we like it: Ever find yourself spiraling down a rabbit hole online, where a seemingly amusing curiosity takes a dark turn? Tickled starts as an entertaining dive into a bizarre subculture but evolves into a shocking examination of how the internet can become precarious.
Words by Cameron Frew
The Tinder Swindler (2022)
What it’s about: Tinder enhances romance at a swipe, but this eye-opening documentary makes you hesitant to use the app. It chronicles the story of Shimon Hayut, a con artist who deceived women around the globe into financing his extravagant lifestyle.
Why we like it: Skillfully directed and surprisingly poignant, The Tinder Swindler may not be the most gruesome documentary on this list, but it tells a harrowing story that resonates deeply. The universal experience of loneliness makes Hayut’s exploitation of vulnerable individuals particularly unsettling.
Words by Tom Percival
Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey (2022)
What it’s about: This detailed documentary investigates the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, beginning with its practice of polygamy and transitioning to the tyrannical reign of self-proclaimed prophet Warren Jeffs, who manipulated and abused countless women and young girls.
Why we like it: Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey, the title of this four-part series, reflects the oppressive culture within the FLDS, where women were coerced to be obedient and dismiss their feelings of anger or resentment. The women featured in this documentary recount harrowing tales of suffering, juxtaposed with messages of resilience and survival.
Words by Chris Tilly
Worst Roommate Ever (2022)
What it’s about: The parent series of Worst Ex Ever, this anthology presents various cases involving nightmare roommates, ranging from senior serial killers to cunning scammers.
Why we like it: Worst Roommate Ever excels in highlighting lesser-known cases through real testimonies from those who endured these experiences and loved ones of victims, all complemented by animated reenactments. It’ll leave you thankful that your worst roommate quarrels only involve mundane issues.
Words by Daisy Phillipson
The Keepers (2017)
What it’s about: The Keepers delves into the unsolved murder of Catherine Cesnik, an English and drama teacher at Baltimore’s Archbishop Keough High School.
Why we like it: The Keepers offers a challenging, at times harrowing viewing experience about a woman who knew too much. Cathy Cesnik suspected a priest at her school, A. Joseph Maskell, of abusing students, and her deaths shed light on a tragic cover-up orchestrated by authorities and the church.
Words by Chris Tilly
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