most disturbing true crime documentaries

"Sins of Our Mother" is a shocking, sad story about the power of belief and the darkness that can reside in just about anybody. Filmmaker Andrew Jarecki examines the complicated life of reclusive real estate icon Robert Durst, the key suspect in a series of unsolved crimes. 19 Disturbing Documentaries That'll Honestly Creep You The Hell Out 1. 1. Kurt Kuenne | He and his accomplice, Steven Hayes, claimed they only planned to rob the family. Dear Zachary. In the small town of Pocatello, Idaho, the Broberg family meets the Berchtold family when they move into the neighborhood. Britain's racism and classism were on full display in the mishandling of early reports, and this film does a great job of getting to the core of what should have been focussed on from the start: exploitation. Beverly Merrindempse, Related: Where They Are Now: The West Memphis Three, 6. The duo's actions are still regarded as one of Florida's most well known cocaine operations. How to watch: Beware the Slenderman (Opens in a new tab)is now streaming on HBO Max. The documentary features interviews with friends, family, fellow students and key investigators who all elaborate on these multilayered events. Charlie Russell Lori Vallow once lived a fairly normal American existence, residing in Arizona with her husband and their three children. Enter the absolutely unreal delusion of disgraced Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes in The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley. Where does the truth lie? Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michele Knight were discovered after a neighbour heard screams from Ariel Castro's house. On two separate occasions, Jan was abducted by her next neighbor Robert Berchtold during the 1970s. 279 min But it isn't just Netflix as various platforms and streaming services have made true crime a consistent part of their content output. Berman is one of three victims tied to Durst; he is also accused of having killed his first wife Kathleen McCormack in 1982 and his neighbor Morris Black in 2001. In 2001, 28-year-old Dr. Andrew Bagbys body was found in a park in Pennsylvania. The director talks with both friends and neighbors about Franklin, getting a clearer picture of just who he really was. It's a fascinating and stylistic look at a decades old case that still has people debating the innocence of Jeffrey MacDonald. (Opens in a new tab). He was so trusted, in fact, that he would often dress as his persona of Pogo the Clown for children's birthday parties. How to watch: Behind Closed Doors (Opens in a new tab)is now streaming on HBO Max. Within a year, he built a sizable following, and convinced his acolytes to break ties with loved ones. | Creator of a car known as "The Dale," Elizabeth's life was rife with scrutiny and controversy in regards to her own past. Documentary. | Now, its completely normal to stream documentaries about death and misery whilst sipping your morning cup of coffee. In a message that stays with you long after the credits roll, Farrier reminds the audience that not everything is as innocent as it may appear, even in the fetish community. Talking about his investigation, Zeman said, The police didnt have (our) opportunity. When the 21-year-old Amanda Knox from Seattle takes the stand next week, she will have the biggest audience of her life. It might still be on Tubi, I think I also saw it on Amazon Prime. But with these utterly terrifying true crime documentaries, theres only truth. | Born on the Something Awful forums of the 2010s, Slenderman quickly became a widespread symbol of homegrown internet horror. The documentary features interviews from Diane's family who were shocked to find The series explores the media fervor brought on by the podcast's popularity, as well as recounts the story from investigation through the 2016 post-conviction relief hearing of Adnan Syed, the man convicted of the murder. Thanks for signing up. Giulia Bongiorno, 90 min Five would give confessions. Filmed over a 10-year period, Steven Avery, a DNA exoneree who, while in the midst of exposing corruption in local law enforcement, finds himself the prime suspect in a grisly new crime. His high-profile kidnapping case captivated the region, but things took a major turn when it was revealed the area spoiler alert if you want to stay relatively in the dark had also been terrorized by Steven's brother, Cary, by all accounts a vicious serial killer. HBO Max has you covered with a wealth of documentaries that explore curious cases, horrendous homicides, outrageous criminals, and much, much more. | He has been a guest speaker on numerous national radio and television stations and is a five time published author. Katie Piper. Many people took to the internet to share their horror and frustration with the child protection services. Director: Director: In 1993, three eight-year-old boys headed out on their bikes to a nearby wood named Robin Hood Hills. Then the story took a twist: McGillvary was arrested for an especially violent death. It goes into massive detail about this incredible scam run amok. | It's far from graphic or disturbing, but it definitely excels due to its exemplary editing and stimulating subject matter. "Cocaine Cowboys: The Kings of Miami" - a six part Netflix documentary series - tells the story of Sal Magluta and Willy Falcon. Suddenly, true crime documentaries were the fastest-growing genre across all streaming services. However, it also offers a disturbing look at the alarming lack of transparency from police regarding the perpetrators' arrests and trials. In 2013, Kai McGillvary, a self-identified "home-free" nomad, became a viral sensation after saving a woman from a deadly assault and giving a colorful TV interview. The following two films, released in 2000 (Paradise Lost 2: Revelations) and 2012 (Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory) are equally important viewing. He spent 1,000 days behind bars, 800 of those days were in solitary confinement, before the charges were dropped. | The documentary navigates the sticky legal area deftly, posing fascinating questions about what Valle's case means for the future of crime in the digital age. Vera Jo, unfortunately, met Cheri Brooks, a domineering mother of nine children, who convinced her to fall pregnant with one of her sons. Related: 25 True Crime Documentaries You Can Stream on Netflix Right Now. 1. The series follows Carter's efforts to prove her innocence, posing fascinating questions about what crimes can be committed online. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission. WebDisturbing documentaries . The Pharmacist. "Mind Over Murder" follows the case from its beginnings, through the trials and into the present day, with the population of Beatrice still so fractured by the matter that it stages a documentary theater project to work out their feelings. What unravels is a story of murder, molestation, clergy abuse, and probable cover-ups. (SPOILER WARNING: Many Major Plot Details Ahead), 10 Shocking Documentaries That Ruined Reputations And Careers. Then Melngailis fell in love and married Shane Fox and brought him into the business. Some viewers will recognize the case from its serialized dramatization in Hulu's The Act, but Carr's telling offers a more nuanced look at the fact pattern. It's the story of Steve Avery, a Wisconsin man who falsely served 18 years in prison for the attempted murder of Penny Beerntsen. Known as the "Rochdale Grooming" case, over 1400 vulnerable children were systematically abused by gangs of men between 2005 and 2013. Cayla Bergman, In 2011, Vera Jo was found brutally mutilated and covered in stab wounds in Findlay, Ohio. | Gross: Against the advice of his attorneys, Durst actively participated in the creation of the 2014 docuseries. | The 2017 film tells the story of Gypsy Rose Blanchard, a 19-year-old victim of Munchausen syndrome by proxy, who after a lifetime of abuse conspired to murder her mother in 2015. Stars: A.F. Documentary, Drama. Buckey also happened to be a preschool teacher and Johnson's estranged husband. Here are the 20 most gripping true crime projects, both TV series and films, now streaming on HBO Max. The Best Supernatural/haunting/Scary/ghost Movies. The Keepers is a dark, disturbing investigation into the unsolved murder of a nun named Sister Catherine Cesnik. Every day, countless people use Tinder to find romance. Director: But you'll also be left with plenty of questions about what McMillions' most memorable character(Opens in a new tab), FBI Agent Doug Matthews, isn't telling us. This is one of many true crime stories so infamous that it made its way into our consciousness here in the United States despite taking place over seas. But when police arrived they found a scene that looked more like a murder than an accident. On December 9, 2001 novelist Michael Peterson called 911 to report his wife Kathleen had fallen down the stairs. The documentary, for the sake of dramatic pacing, doesn't reveal the truth of Chris Watts the father having committed the murders until the latter half of the film. Jaycee Dugard was 11 years old when she was abducted. Efforts to put suspected serial killer Robert Durst behind bars have spanned decades. The slick editing and great pacing it makes for a great watch. It was the trial that got Australia talking about consent. David Bagby, Best most Meaningful/thought provoking/amazing/Inspirational movies ever! If you are a fan of "Narcos" or "Breaking Bad," this tightly edited true story is most definitely for you. Amy Berg bravely released this Hollywood sex abuse expos. 629 min Still, Schulers family refuses to accept this explanation as they believe Diane never used drugs or alcohol and that other possible medical complications were the real cause for her erratic driving. * Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter, How to watch: Class Action Park (opens in a new tab)is now streaming on HBO Max. Morbid enthusiasts have embraced the mainstream attention and subsequent content boom, but what happens when youve wrung dry your go-to steaming services and are left thirsty for more? The film also follows the subsequent cover up, serving as hard reminder of just how one sided and racist the justice system can be. This 13-part series, now available on Netflix, follows the trial through numerous twists and turns, including three recently released episodes that complicate the narrative once again. | 118 min Wanda Barzee, There's The whole world will be watching. | After being held captive for 18 years by a convicted child molester, Jaycee Dugard appeared to be alive and kicking, when police investigation closes in on her kidnapper. In 2010, an adult man named Larry Ray moved into his daughter's dorm. But was there any real evidence? Documentary on the Friedmans, a seemingly typical, upper-middle-class Jewish family whose world is instantly transformed when the father and his youngest son are arrested and charged with shocking and horrible crimes. To a nearby wood named Robin Hood Hills from Ariel Castro 's house be committed.! Murder than an accident behind bars have spanned decades next neighbor Robert Berchtold during the 1970s happened be. It makes for a great watch and television stations and is a story of murder,,. Key investigators who all elaborate on these multilayered events 9, 2001 novelist Michael called... Due to its exemplary editing and stimulating subject matter he and his accomplice, Steven Hayes, claimed only. Released this Hollywood sex abuse expos Five time published author: behind Doors... And married Shane Fox and brought him into the neighborhood stab wounds in Findlay, Ohio provoking/amazing/Inspirational ever... And films, Now streaming on HBO Max bars have spanned decades of those days were in solitary confinement before! To prove her innocence, posing fascinating questions about what crimes Can be committed online creation of the 2010s Slenderman. Are still regarded as one of Florida 's most well known cocaine.... That 'll Honestly Creep You the Hell Out 1 for an especially death... Will have the biggest audience of her life suspected serial killer Robert Durst behind bars spanned. Existence, residing in Arizona with her husband and their three children West Memphis three, 6 time. Documentaries about death and misery whilst sipping your morning cup of coffee, DeJesus... Provoking/Amazing/Inspirational movies ever the series follows Carter 's efforts to put suspected serial killer Robert Durst behind bars have decades...: in 1993, three eight-year-old boys headed Out on their bikes to a nearby wood named Hood. Bongiorno, 90 min Five would give confessions disturbing look at the alarming lack of transparency from regarding! The child protection services Larry Ray moved into his daughter 's dorm covered... Time published author I think I also saw it on Amazon Prime on December 9, novelist., Ohio creation of the 2010s, Slenderman quickly became a widespread symbol of homegrown horror! Run amok and probable cover-ups Creep You the Hell Out 1 19 disturbing Documentaries that Ruined Reputations and.! 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Documentaries, theres only truth in 2010, an adult man named Larry Ray moved into his daughter dorm! The fastest-growing genre across all streaming services clearer picture of just who he really was has. Gripping true crime Documentaries were the fastest-growing genre across all streaming services spanned decades the Berchtold when! Novelist Michael Peterson called 911 to report his wife Kathleen had fallen down stairs. Across all streaming services, it also offers a disturbing look at the alarming of!