The five best true-crime series to watch on Netflix right now

The newest trend that Netflix created is the birth of popular true crime series. Beginning from docuseries to dramatised ones. They have got it all. In spite of dipping subscribers, the platform has managed to maintain a devoted audience when it comes to true-crime stories.

Ranging from award-winning documentaries to freshly produced Netflix originals. What is it that draws in a pool of viewers for shows of such a nature? Well, to begin with, the sheer incapability of human comprehension of what actually goes on in this world. Difficult to believe, tough to watch, yet it is a version of repeated reality brought to us on our nearest screens. 

Let’s be honest, we all are, to some extent, quite inexplicably drawn to true-crime shows such as HBO Max’s The Staircase or Hulu’s The Dropout. Netflix realised the potential of these shows and captured the market in quite a monopolistic manner by providing several binge-worthy shows based on cold murders, organizations that operate on an underground level and much more. The horror of reality.

So without further delay, let’s dive into the five best true-crime series available to both you and me on our nearest screens, thanks to the streamer. 

Five best true-crime series to watch on Netflix right now

5. Making a Murderer 

Probably the best example to begin with. Award-winning directors Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos created this show to present both positives and negatives of the genre of true crime. Binge-worthy, you ask? Affirmative.

You will find yourself ready to watch the next episode before you finish the one you are watching. Not only are the stories presented by them absolutely unbelievable, but unlike most other shows of this genre, this series also highlights the horrors of an innocent man being jailed for over 18 years and yet, once released, getting convicted again.

It highlights the politics within the judicial and legislative systems currently at play within our society. Have you ever wondered what if you were wrongly framed and imprisoned at some point in your life? Watch the story of Steven Avery, a man from Wisconsin who was failed by the very system in place to make decisions to maintain a well-functioning society. Form being coerced to force confessions. Do not miss out on this unique perspective on the true crime genre. 

4. Don’t F**k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer 

The show follows the story of a group of hunting internet vigilantes to find the creator of some gruesome internet videos torturing cats and eventually others. This 2019 limited series is about an online manhunt. Written and directed by Mark Lewis, the series follows the hunt to find Luka Magnotta, a man who shared several graphic videos harming living beings on the internet in the year 2010.

The series shows blurred clips released of him hurting two kittens with a vacuum cleaner and more. Reviewers describe this to be probably one of the most gripping shows highlighting the search for one of the worst murderers in the face of Canada’s recent history. Almost like a real-life cat-and-mouse chase.

Disclaimer: the concept in itself is indeed quite graphics, and certain viewers may find this show quite difficult to watch. 

3. The Sons of Sam: A descent into darkness

David Berkowitz. Does it ring a bell? Son of Sam, is that familiar? Probably one of the most infamous serial killers the city of New York has ever seen. This limited series follows the investigation of a journalist named Maury Terry. The investigation brought to light how eight different murders with, in fact, all a part of a bigger Satanic cult across the country of the United States.

The journalist spent over 40 years proving that David Berkowitz was, in fact, not the only one involved with these murders, it was more than that. Let’s put it this way, this show focuses more on the investigative ordeals of the journalist rather than Berkowitz himself. 

2. The Confession Killer

The genre has exceeded beyond capturing just the events of a true-crime occurrence. In this documentary mini-series, the plot is revolving around Henry Lee Lucas, a man who confessed to 600 murders and more. The most interesting part of this is that they were all probably lies.

Years after, incriminating evidence was found that eliminated possibility of the individual being involved with the mentioned murders in the US. In spite of the lies, this show focuses on examining the truth within confessions and the several rather gruesome consequences that follow. 

1. This Is a Robbery 

The show highlights probably the world’s biggest art heist. It covers the incident of the 1990 robbery of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum situated in the city of Boston. Everything art that was stolen amounted to whopping figures of millions of dollars. The iconic part of the incident was that the two men who were buzzed into the museum were dressed as police officers.

Within 81 minutes, these gentlemen were missing, and so was a priceless Rembrandt amongst several other pieces of art. Huge pieces of art to be precise. Being an art student in awe of the economic parts of the art market, this was quite a riveting and gripping show. If you really think about it, maybe this is all you needed to have a break from the rather soul-crushing narratives of the genre. As I say, art is there to help when in need, in one way or the other.

But really, how is it even possible? Find out more about this show in this trailer!