10 True Crime Series So Chilling, You'll Need To Sleep With The Lights On
Be warned, these series are not for the faint of heart.
"Don't F**k With Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer" (Netflix, 2019)
If there's one golden rule on the Internet, it's "Don't F**k With Cats". But what happens when someone breaks that rule?
This three-part documentary chronicles a group of Internet sleuths who embark on a mission to track down a man posting disturbing videos of animal cruelty online. What starts as an online manhunt for an animal abuser morphs into a chilling discovery of a horrific crime involving a Chinese student named Jun Lin.
Fair warning, though: don't watch it and don't google Luka Magnotta if animal cruelty is a huge trigger for you. This series deal with some very heavy stuff.
"Unbelievable" (Netflix, 2019)
Are you ready to take on a heart-wrenching tale that starts off with the cold disbelief of a victim's claims, only to twist and turn its way into a disturbingly real serial rape case? "Unbelievable" tells the true story of Marie, a teenager accused of lying about her rape, and the two female detectives who follow a twisting path to arrive at the truth.
The series not only delves into the nitty-gritty of investigative procedures but also examines the emotional trauma Marie endures. With each episode, you'll find yourself mired in frustration, sadness, and yes, disbelief. The moment the pieces start coming together, and the horrifying reality is unveiled, you'll be left stunned. And perhaps a little teary-eyed.
"The Keepers" (Netflix, 2017)
"The Keepers" will take you on a deep dive into a decades-old murder case and its suspected connection to a Catholic Church.
This series investigates the unsolved murder of Sister Cathy Cesnik, a beloved nun and Catholic high school teacher in Baltimore. After disappearing in November 1969, Sister Cathy's body was found nearly two months later. But her murder remains a mystery, wrapped in allegations of abuse, a cover-up, and potential corruption.
As former students and friends tirelessly strive to unearth the truth, you'll be drawn into this web of lies and secrets long buried, left utterly captivated and perhaps a tad horrified.
"I'll Be Gone in the Dark" (HBO, 2020)
Based on Michelle McNamara's groundbreaking book, "I'll Be Gone in the Dark" traces the relentless pursuit of the notorious Golden State Killer.
Now, this isn't just any true crime series; it's also a deep dive into McNamara's own obsession with the unsolved case. She dedicated years to the hunt for the serial rapist and killer who terrorized California in the late 70s and early 80s. McNamara tragically passed away while writing her book, but her tireless work played a significant role in finally catching the killer.
"The Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer" (Netflix, 2021)
"The Night Stalker" dives into one of the most notorious serial killers in American history, Richard Ramirez. This four-part series recounts the terrifying summer of 1985, as the city of Los Angeles was held in the grip of fear by a ruthless killer. The series primarily follows the two detectives charged with bringing the Night Stalker to justice.
This isn't a whodunit – we all know who the Night Stalker is – but it's the bone-chilling details of his crimes, the relentless hunt for him, and the terrified state of a city under siege that will have you sleeping with the lights on, trust me.
"Making a Murderer" (Netflix, 2015-2018)
"Making a Murderer" was a Netflix series that caused quite a stir when it was first released. This isn't your typical whodunit; it's a complex examination of the flawed American legal system and its potential for failure.
The series focuses on Steven Avery, a Wisconsin man wrongfully convicted of sexual assault and attempted murder, only to find himself in hot water again a few years later. Over two seasons, we delve into the lives of Avery and his nephew, Brendan Dassey, both accused and convicted of a gruesome murder.
The chilling detail, the disturbing twists, and turns, all while clinging to the unnerving question: did they really do it? Or are they victims of a system riddled with flaws? You'll need to decide for yourself.
"The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst" (HBO, 2015)
If you're looking for a series that's more about the "why" than the "how", then "The Jinx" is right up your alley. The series follows the strange and, quite frankly, creepy life of real estate heir Robert Durst, who has a suspicious habit of being around when people disappear or die.
Interviews with Durst himself lend a certain surreal quality to the series. The plot twists, in the end, will have you questioning everything you've seen before, and you'll find yourself constantly on the edge of your seat, anxious and excited.
"The Staircase" (Netflix, 2004, 2018)
The series delves into the case of novelist Michael Peterson, who was accused of killing his wife, Kathleen, after she was found dead at the bottom of their staircase.
Peterson maintains his innocence, claiming that his wife's death was merely a tragic accident. But as the series progresses, layers of deceit, secrets, and alternative theories are uncovered, including the eerily similar death of a friend of Peterson's years prior. Trust me, by the time you're done with this series, you'll never look at a staircase the same way again.
"Evil Genius: The True Story of America's Most Diabolical Bank Heist" (Netflix, 2018)
How about a tale of a bizarre bank heist, a live bomb, and a pizza delivery guy? Sounds like a Hollywood script, doesn't it? But it's not.
"Evil Genius" is a four-part series that delves into one of the most outrageous bank heists in U.S. history. It starts with the horrifying death of a pizza delivery guy who robs a bank with a bomb around his neck, and it just gets weirder from there. Behind it all is Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong, a highly intelligent woman with a slew of mental health issues.
The eerie plot, full of bizarre twists and unnerving revelations, will leave you shocked, to say the least.
"Mindhunter " (Netflix, 2017-2019)
In "Mindhunter," we delve into the minds of killers, and boy, is it a chilling dive. Based on the true story of the FBI agents who pioneered the development of modern serial-killer profiling, the series takes you back to the late 1970s, when the term "serial killer" wasn't even in our vocabulary.
FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench, along with psychologist Wendy Carr, conduct interviews with imprisoned serial killers to understand their motivations and impulses. If you're intrigued by what makes a killer tick, this series will have you gripped.
The series doesn't rely on graphic visuals or cheap scares. Instead, it's the cold, calculated discussions with the killers that will send a chill down your spine. It's unnerving, it's disturbing, and you'll absolutely love it. It's a crime "Mindhunter" didn't get another season; no other show deserved it more.