Finished Tiger King? 5 true crime Netflix documentaries to get you through summer lockdown – from the Ted Bundy Tapes to Don’t F**k With Cats
From the fabled Ted Bundy audio tapes to controversial 80s Indian cult guru Osho and the viral hit Don't F**k With Cats, these true crime stories on Netflix and HBO are every bit as addictive and disturbing as the outsize antics of Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin
The year 2020 didn’t see two things coming its way: the Covid-19 pandemic and the viral Netflix documentary, Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness, a real-life fable that swept viewers into its bizarre world of tiger breeding and eccentric personalities, caught in webs of jealousy, rage and attempted murder. Watched by more than 34 million viewers in the US alone, as reported by Nielsen, the true crime documentary became a certified global phenomenon following its March release, destined to be associated with coronavirus lockdown forevermore.
With this sudden spike of interest in true crime series – which, let’s be honest, are both addictive and unpredictable – here are five equally gripping documentaries to watch once you’ve waved goodbye to the outsize antics of Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin.
Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills (1996)
This list’s earliest entry into the true crime space is HBO's shocking documentary Paradise Lost about the West Memphis Three who were involved in triple murders for a satanic ritual. Combining real crime scene footage, news clips and original reporting, this Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky’s feature received sterling reviews and even won the Primetime Emmy Award for outstanding informational programming – and now it’s streaming on HBO.
Don't F**k With Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer (2019)
What started as an online manhunt for Luka Magnotta, who filmed despicable cat abuse, quickly turned into an investigation of one of Canada’s most infamous murders. Over its three-part run, Netflix’s sensational Don't F**k With Cats is filled with adrenaline-rush suspense and graphic footage that anyone with a weak stomach would be wise to skip.
The Confession Killer (2019)
Henry Lee Lucas was known as one of America’s most notorious serial killers, but when new evidence contradicted his confessions, the police had to re-evaluate its investigation methods and faced perhaps the biggest criminal justice hoax in America. The five-part Netflix documentary was applauded for its criticism of the judicial system and its narrative, with The Guardian hailing it “Netflix's smartest crime saga yet”.
Wild Wild Country (2018)
Another Netflix true crime to binge watch takes a look at the controversial Indian guru Osho and his spiritual compound in Wasco County, Oregon, in the 1980s. The Duplass brothers-produced doc received positive reviews with a 98 per cent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes by critics and viewers alike. In response to this negative exposé, the Osho Foundation claims the Oregon events were part of the US government conspiracy and “didn’t give a clear account of the real story”, as stated on its website.
Confession with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes (2019)
Oscar-nominated filmmaker Joe Berlinger’s latest gripping documentary revolves around the ill-famed serial killer Ted Bundy, whose 100 hours footage were compiled into a four-part Netflix series. Released exactly 30 years after Bundy’s execution, the documentary also includes several hair-raising interviews and audio transcripts with friends and acquaintances who knew and were involved with the madman.