True crime shows have always been at the heart of many viewers. But the obsession with these shows only grew bigger when streaming services started taking flight. From the story-telling elements, to the cinematography and juicy profile interviews, these shows explore deeper into some of the most gruesome, heinous and titillating crimes. Running out of shows to watch? Here are 10 true crime shows you must watch that will send chills down your spine.
1. Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story
There’s a completely justifiable explanation for why the series is called DAHMER – Monster – and it’s not because it’s got a nice ring to it. The series is based on the real-life criminal case of Jeffrey Dahmer, a notorious serial killer who not only killed his victims but ate them too. The series will have you wincing in horror and disgust and is certainly not for the faint-hearted. Just watching him cook and eat the meat of his victims made me sick in my stomach.
Available on Netflix.
2. Inventing Anna
“I do not have time for this! I do not have time for you!” – sound familiar? That overly-used yet fairly relatable TikTok sound originated from Netflix true crime drama series Inventing Anna. Based on the true story of the fake heiress real-life con artist, Anna Delvey – born Anna Sorokin. Netflix was loving it so much that they made a 9-episode series that depicts how this German nobody became a world-renowned con artist attempting to steal millions of dollars. Low-key impressed that she managed to scam so many people to give her money though.
Just seconds into the first episode, Anna says “This whole story that you’re about to sit on your fat ass and watch, like a big lump of nothing, is about me. You know me. Everyone knows me. I’m an icon. A legend.” Sis literally thinks she did no wrong so I guess It’s pretty safe to say that shame doesn’t exist in Anna’s dictionary.
Available on Netflix.
3. American Crime Story
The American Crime Story series follows three real life scandals. The first season, The People v. O.J. Simpson, retells the attention-grabbing murder trial of O.J. Simpson. Does the name Robert Kardashian sound familiar? The famous lawyer and his ex-wife, Kris Jenner, also make a cameo in this series – or at least their characters did. But you’re going to have to watch it to figure it out.
Just when you thought the American Crime series couldn’t get any bigger, creator Ryan Murphy took on The Assassination of Gianni Versace – the man behind the famed luxury brand Versace. Across 9-episodes, the series takes you through the moments in Versace’s life leading up to his murder, as well as Cunanan’s carefully-planned scheme which brought him to the steps of Versace’s mansion. The series also highlights some bigger issues of its time. We’ll leave you to guess what it is. This was probably my favourite instalment of the American Crime series because of the way the storyline alternated between present day and the past.
For Season 3, Murphy and his team explored an even more salacious scandal – the Clinton-Lewinsky drama – naming the series Impeachment. The 10-part series follows Monica Lewinsky, a young woman who is madly in love with a married man who also happens to be a very powerful man in the world. Lewinsky confides about her affair to Linda Tripp who then snitches to the press. You know how there’s always that one gossipy auntie in the family, that’s Linda. But, props to Linda for being so ballsy and going all out just to get the tea. If there’s one word that can describe this series, it would be riveting.
Available on Disney+.
4. Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness
In 2020, Netflix introduced Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin to the world with the release of Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness. I don’t know which part of this docuseries was more entertaining – the feud between Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin, Carole’s obsession with cats, or Joe’s claims that Carole killed her first husband and fed his remains to her tigers – either way, it gave me a good laugh.
This is really not like your usual true crime show and If anything, you should watch these two polar opposites go head-to-head in a catfight. Jokes aside, while watching this I found it hard not to find Joe Exotic guilty of any crime against Carole, but I also couldn’t help but find Carole to be a lil’ sus. You’ll have to watch this to get what I mean.
Available on Netflix.
5. The Tinder Swindler
This gripping Netflix documentary points out exactly the cons of online dating – when your internet lover turns out to be a con artist. The documentary features several women who fell victim to the antics of a man who went by the name of Simon Leviev. The show highlights the very dangers of meeting people online and how easily con artists can manipulate you.
If there’s anything that this documentary taught us is we can all afford to be a little bit more cautious with the people we meet online. Your Tinder date might be a red flag but when you’re blinded by love, the only red you see are red hearts.
Available on Netflix.
6. John Wayne Gacy: Devil in Disguise
Many would typically classify John Wayne Gacy, Jeffrey Dahmer and Ted Bundy in the same league. Yes, even serial killers have different leagues. The six-part documentary will uncover the frightening details behind John Wayne Gacy’s cheery demeanour which will make your hair stand – I know mine did just from watching the trailer alone.
This only goes to show you that clowns are evil, no matter what people say. What do clowns have anything to do with this show? Watch it to find out.
Available on Netflix.
7. Cyber Hell: Exposing an Internet Horror
The Nth Room was probably one of the most shocking cases of online sex trafficking and online blackmail to ever hit the shores of South Korea. The documentary unveils the modus operandi of the scandal, which ran from 2018 to 2020 and follows lead investigators Kim Wan and Yeon Seo as they try to bring that dirty perv to justice. You can’t help but feel angered by Baksa and Godgod’s actions yet also feel a sense of satisfaction when they are finally arrested.
Available on Netflix.
8. Don’t F**k With Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer
Not gonna lie, when I first read the title “Don’t F**k With Cats”, it made me giggle. While its title takes on a slightly jokey stance, the story that you are about to watch is utterly unnerving and incredibly upsetting as it explores one of the most psychotic cases of animal abuse. I now have a newfound respect for the online cat community.
As the lead narrator of the story, Deanna Thomson, says: “In the seedy underbelly of the internet, there’s an unwritten rule – rule zero: Don’t F**k with Cats.” Preach.
Available on Netflix.
9. The Keepers
In the quintessentially Catholic city of Baltimore, where priests and religious figures were the authority, the unthinkable happened. In 1969, a Catholic nun by the name of Sister Cathy Cesnik, was brutally murdered. As I read the synopsis, it intrigued me further to watch the show because I couldn’t wrap my head around why anyone would want to kill a nun. The series draws you in with more flashy and tantalising revelations dropping each episode — it’s no surprise if you find yourself hooked on this case.
Available on Netflix.
10. Night Stalker: The Hunt For a Serial Killer
If you thought the Joker was a fictional character, think again. From his facial features to his eerie smile, and haunting gaze – if there was anyone who had evil in them, it would be the Night Stalker. Watching the trailer alone will give you the chills. As I plucked up the courage to watch the series to the end, I found myself curling my lips and holding my breath throughout the parts that talked about what the Night Stalker did to his victims. The scariest thing about the Night Stalker was that anyone could be his target – imagine how uneasy you would feel going to bed at night knowing that there was a serial killer on the loose.
Available on Netflix.
These true crime shows will show you a darker side of the world. Which one will you be watching first?
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