Wanted: True Crime Documentaries
July 21, 2019 10:35 AM Subscribe
I'm looking for some new true crime documentaries to watch. Any suggestions?
I’ve watched and enjoyed Staircase, The Jinx, OJ:Made in America, and Making A Murderer. I’m not a huge fan of scenes featuring re-enactments, but a little of that is ok.
Please note that I’m not asking for podcasts here—strictly filmed documentaries. Thanks!
I’ve watched and enjoyed Staircase, The Jinx, OJ:Made in America, and Making A Murderer. I’m not a huge fan of scenes featuring re-enactments, but a little of that is ok.
Please note that I’m not asking for podcasts here—strictly filmed documentaries. Thanks!
The Keepers on Netflix is a powerful watch.
posted by kapers at 11:14 AM on July 21, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by kapers at 11:14 AM on July 21, 2019 [4 favorites]
Capturing the Friedmans is more of a study of a family in crisis than true crime, but if you liked the films you listed you should enjoy it. I think it’s a classic.
There’s Something Wrong with Aunt Diane is available on HBO, totally fascinating, sad and mystifying story.
posted by cakelite at 11:43 AM on July 21, 2019 [3 favorites]
There’s Something Wrong with Aunt Diane is available on HBO, totally fascinating, sad and mystifying story.
posted by cakelite at 11:43 AM on July 21, 2019 [3 favorites]
“Mommy Dead and Dearest” on HBO, about Gypsy Rose Blanchard and her mother, is very well done, with no re-enactments at all that I can remember. (Sorry, on phone and can’t link.)
posted by holborne at 12:05 PM on July 21, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by holborne at 12:05 PM on July 21, 2019 [4 favorites]
Goodnight, Sugar Babe: The Killing of Vera Jo Reigle, available (in the UK anyway) on Amazon Prime. Heartbreakingly sad.
And, although it's all based around a re-enactment of a crime, I'd thoroughly recommend The Witness, which is about the notorious murder of Kitty Genovese. (I don't like crime shows that are mostly re-enactments, so for me to recommend this, trust me - as a true crime aficionado - that it's very good.)
posted by essexjan at 12:13 PM on July 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
And, although it's all based around a re-enactment of a crime, I'd thoroughly recommend The Witness, which is about the notorious murder of Kitty Genovese. (I don't like crime shows that are mostly re-enactments, so for me to recommend this, trust me - as a true crime aficionado - that it's very good.)
posted by essexjan at 12:13 PM on July 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
The Disappearance of Madeline McCann on Netflix is really good (and extremely sad, like all true crime). I would not have watched it, but I heard it recommended on My Favorite Murder and they were right, it’s quite good.
posted by areaperson at 1:51 PM on July 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by areaperson at 1:51 PM on July 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
Murder on a Sunday Morning is by the same guy who did Staircase.
posted by praemunire at 2:13 PM on July 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by praemunire at 2:13 PM on July 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
Manson slipped through the cracks for me until fairly recently.
posted by rhizome at 2:31 PM on July 21, 2019
posted by rhizome at 2:31 PM on July 21, 2019
Seconding Evil Genius. It's just so.... weird.
I just want to mention that 'The Keepers' which was recommended upthread is good (well, as 'good' as something in that vein can be) but it is a harrowing watch. If you find content that deals with graphic sexual assault etc. difficult, I might suggest avoiding it. Seriously, it's rough.
posted by BeeJiddy at 6:24 PM on July 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
I just want to mention that 'The Keepers' which was recommended upthread is good (well, as 'good' as something in that vein can be) but it is a harrowing watch. If you find content that deals with graphic sexual assault etc. difficult, I might suggest avoiding it. Seriously, it's rough.
posted by BeeJiddy at 6:24 PM on July 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
There are two documentaries about Aileen Wuornos, 'Aileen Wuornos: The Selling of a Serial Killer' and 'Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer'.
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 7:23 PM on July 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 7:23 PM on July 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
You may find The Blotter useful - it's a site dedicated to true crime reviews, mostly a podcast but there are articles too.
posted by Gin and Broadband at 1:16 AM on July 22, 2019
posted by Gin and Broadband at 1:16 AM on July 22, 2019
If you're up for 'white collar' true crime (i.e., not murder), I recommend The Inventor, HBO's documentary on the rise and fall of Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos.
posted by kochenta at 9:11 AM on July 22, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by kochenta at 9:11 AM on July 22, 2019 [1 favorite]
Abducted in Plain Sight is gripping and just unbelievable - I definitely recommend it.
posted by Neely O'Hara at 10:14 AM on July 22, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by Neely O'Hara at 10:14 AM on July 22, 2019 [4 favorites]
Real Detective - there are reenactments but they are good ones
posted by miks13 at 10:04 PM on July 25, 2019
posted by miks13 at 10:04 PM on July 25, 2019
This thread is closed to new comments.
By the same filmmakers: Brother's Keeper!
posted by maya at 10:57 AM on July 21, 2019 [3 favorites]