The rise of Netflix as the primary viewing platform for people has led to genres that were usually unpopular to gain followers. The true crime genre happens to fall under this category, and documentaries have simultaneously become all the rage. This is significant since it allows cases that deserve attention to become known to the public.
It’s still heartbreaking to watch, since these stories are those that took place in real life. Fortunately, there’s a lot of sympathy to go around, which has meant other documentaries have gotten their deserved respect, too.
The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez (2020)
Only few other true crime shows come close to content that’s as disturbing as this one. In fact, producers of this series had kept therapists around for those interviewed because of how traumatizing the situation was.
The sad reality the show details is the abuse of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez, who eventually died after being assaulted by his mother and her boyfriend. Fortunately, the perpetrators have seen justice, and the purpose of this documentary is to illustrate how abusing a child is only done by the worst kind of people.
Amanda Knox (2016)
A true crime filled with more suspense than feature films, this documentary looks at the mistrial of Amanda Knox, a woman falsely accused and convicted of murder. Knox also received intense character assassination during the trial, which led to her initial 25-year sentence.
The documentary features interviews of people involved with the trial, as well as Knox herself, who spent four years in jail. It’s a transparent take on the victimization Knox felt for serving a sentence for a crime she didn’t commit.
The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann (2019)
It’s absolutely heartbreaking that, not only did 3-year-old Madeleine vanish during vacation with family in a Portuguese resort, she has never been found in over thirteen years. What’s sadder is that the “true crime” part here comes from the investigations that had gone against her own parents, who had been branded as suspects.
This documentary, while acknowledging that the girl’s disappearance indeed is a crime, at least takes on an unbiased view. Looking at the backlash the family received, the circumstances behind the event, and interviews with experts, the documentary is worth a watch simply to bring attention to this horrible disappearance.
Abducted In Plain Sight (2017)
This one seems like something one might find from movies about insane stalkers. However, it certainly is true that Jan Broberg was kidnapped twice by the same neighbor when she was only 12 and 14-years-old in the 1970s.
It makes for rather riveting stuff, as the predatory Robert Berchtold’s motivations are delved into in this documentary. That’s not to say it’s not saddening to see the impact it’s had on the now-adult Jan Broberg as she bravely appears on this documentary to spread awareness of the dangers of predators.
The Keepers (2017)
It’s hard not to feel sad over the murder of a sweet person who only ever wanted to help. The Keepers is a documentary that features various accounts of the students of Kathy Cesnik, a nun whose body was discovered in 1970.
It’s definitely an underrated entry in the true crime genre, as it deserves more awareness so that the unsolved case of Kathy’s death can reach a resolution. The documentary covers the potential suspects, and her former students’ belief that Kathy had been killed due to her knowledge of trafficking at the high school she taught.
The Pharmacist (2020)
It’s a good thing that this docu-series didn’t get overlooked, since it covers the story of a real life hero of sorts. After suffering through the murder of his son, Dan Schneider took it upon himself to find the killer since the police didn’t take his plight seriously.
The documentary proves how the sadness of the families of drug-related deaths are treated as unimportant, although Dan came out stronger for this. His investigation led him to not only catch the killer, but expose an entire “pill mill” of drug activity. It’s both an emotional and gripping series to follow.
Time: The Kalief Browder Story (2017)
The heartbreaking truth here is that the crime in question here was never committed by the guilty party. This series brings awareness to the case of Kalief Browder, a youngster who was sent to jail at only 16 for allegedly stealing a backpack.
He was kept in solitary confinement for two years on a three-year tenure, despite never having been convicted either. The documentary is especially relevant these days due to the injustices against black people, something that poor Kalief’s story looks further in.
Who Killed Little Gregory? (2019)
The killing of a child is an unforgivable act, which is why it’s important to learn of the tragic death of Gregory Villemin in 1984. The documentary showcases the circumstances behind his murder, and who might have been the guilty party.
The release of this series has actually benefited the case, as investigations have seen a resurgence in recent times. While it remains a devastating fact that a 4-year-old boy was drowned, the hope is that Who Killed Gregory? can revitalize interest in finding the killer.
Dear Zachary: A Letter To A Son About His Father (2008)
Easily one of the most astounding murder cases to be, this series is doubly saddening due to both 1-year-old Zachary and his father, Andrew Bagby, being killed by the boy’s mother. The documentary is a work of Bagby’s friend, who brought together a cinematic scrapbook of sorts to honor Babgy’s memory.
It also places blame on the legal system’s failure in bail laws, as Zachary’s mother, who killed Bagby, took the child and jumped into the Atlantic Ocean. The film’s impact brought changes in custody laws in Canada, and people need to know of the story behind this.
Murder To Mercy: The Cyntoia Brown Story (2020)
Cyntoia Brown was 16-year-old a runaway on the streets when she was trafficked, leading to Brown shooting a man whom she believed to be assaulting her. She was granted clemency after fifteen years, and this documentary details everything surrounding this case.
It’s a heartbreaking true story of unfortunate events that cost Brown most of her youth, and her subsequent struggles in gaining her freedom. The documentary is also a fine example of how a grey situation can lead to tragic consequences for all parties involved.