If you enjoy sordid, true stories of murder, betrayal, and dark deeds, then you’re in luck; there are plenty of Netflix documentaries that would shock even the most dedicated crime junkie.
Indeed, if you’re reading this, it’s probably because you’ve watched Worst Ex Ever — a Netflix true-crime docuseries that dissects the dark side of love — and are looking for a new show to stave off your addiction to terrifying true stories.
Well, you’re in luck. Jugo Mobile The team has put together a list of evil documentaries that are so scary, they’re worse than some horror movies. These films document everything from con artists to cults and murders to tickle contests (seriously).
Be warned, these documentaries are not for the faint of heart, but if you have a taste for the macabre, you’ve come to the right place.
Love Stalker Killer (2024)
What is it about: Dave Kroupa is a typical divorcee, working hard and looking for love. When he starts to put himself out there, things go wrong when one of his girlfriends disappears. What follows is a web of betrayal, harassment and murder.
Why we love it: What happened to Dave could easily have been the subject of an episode of Worst Ex Ever. It’s a gripping story, with Kroupa himself sharing his story. There’s also some great insight from some of the colorful characters involved in the investigation, including heroic Soylent-drinking techie Tony Kava. I know you know.
Text by Daisy Phillipson
Kidnapped in Plain Sight (2017)
Netflix
What is it about: In 1974, Jan Broberg was kidnapped by her neighbor in Idaho. Two years later, he kidnapped her again. This film alone would be enough to make a documentary, but the mixture of shame and complicity behind it makes the truth even more confusing.
Why we love it: This is a documentary worthy of a TV horror movie. Over the course of 91 gripping, chilling, and infuriating minutes, the Broberg saga unfolds, each revelation crazier than the last. Much like Worst Ex Ever, this is a suburban horror story that captures something particularly poignant: how a seemingly frightening crime can be even more insidious behind closed doors.
Text by Cameron Frew
American Nightmare (2024)
What is it about: In 2015, Denise Huskins endured the horrific ordeal of being kidnapped and held hostage for two days. Upon her return, she and her partner Aaron Quinn were accused of being hoaxes, with detectives even dubbing the kidnapping Gone Girl. American Nightmare follows their ordeal and the struggle to uncover the truth.
Why we love it: If you’re still reeling from the injustice you felt watching The Worst Ex Ever, American Nightmare is definitely worth a watch. It’s a frustrating yet captivating watch that will make you question the system that turned victims into suspects.
Text by Daisy Phillipson
Tickled (2016)
Netflix
What is it about: David Ferrier seems to have discovered his next “weird and unusual” story: competitive endurance tickling, an online sport that involves controlling and tickling each other. His efforts to investigate are met with hostility, a fitting omen for the “empire” he uncovers.
Why we love it: Have you ever been seduced by YouTube, amused at first, but your curiosity turned to compulsion, and suddenly something funny started to seem a little sinister? Know this: Tickled is not a joke. It starts out as a gonzo, funny investigation into a strange subculture, but it becomes a shocking and frightening glimpse into a small example of how the internet can become your downfall.
Text by Cameron Frew
The Tinder Scammer (2022)
Netflix
What is it about: Tinder lets you find love with the swipe of a finger, but this shocking documentary will terrify you so much you won’t want to open the app. The film tells the story of Shimon Hayut, a conman who tricked women around the world into funding his lavish lifestyle.
Why we love it: Brilliantly made and surprisingly heartbreaking, The Tindler Swindler may not be the most gruesome documentary on this list, but that doesn’t make the story it tells any less shocking. That’s probably because feeling lonely is a universal emotion, so seeing someone like Hayut so cruelly take advantage of people in need of companionship is sure to horrify even the most aromantic souls.
Lyrics by Tom Percival
Stay Gentle: Pray and Obey (2022)
Netflix
What is it about: This in-depth exploration of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints begins with polygamy but ends by examining self-proclaimed prophet Warren Jeffs’ reign of terror over the women – and young girls – he manipulated, coerced and sexually assaulted.
Why we love it: Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey is the title of this four-part series, and also the motto of the tyrannical FLDS, a church that expected women to be quiet and loyal and never to display traits like anger or resentment. But the women at the center of this documentary—who were routinely abused by Jeffs and his hosts—do the opposite, telling a story of untold suffering but also courage and survival.
Worst Roommate Ever (2022)
What is it about: The parent series of Worst Ex Ever, this anthology series focuses on various nightmarish roommate cases, from senior serial killers to sinister con artists.
Why we love it: The Worst Roommate Ever does a great job of covering lesser-known cases, with real accounts from those who experienced them or the victims’ loved ones, all told through animated reenactments. And if you’re still not convinced, at least you’ll feel grateful that the toilet seat left up is the worst of your problems.
The Guardians (2017)
Netflix
What is it about: The Keepers investigates the unsolved murder of Catherine Cesnik, who was teaching English and drama at Archbishop Keough High School in Baltimore when she was killed.
Why we love it: The Keepers is a stark and sometimes harrowing documentary about the death of a woman who knew too much. Cathy Cesnik believed that a priest at her school, A. Joseph Maskell, was sexually abusing students. It was this knowledge that led to her murder, but while the documentary explores the heinous crime without ever sensationalizing it, the series also focuses on the shocking cover-up that followed, both by the authorities and the Church.
If you’re looking for more shows to binge-watch, we’ve got a list of all the new TV shows airing this month or if you prefer the big screen, we’ve got a guide to all the new movies hitting theaters.
