4 true crime docuseries that will keep you hooked all weekend

Four true crime docu-series that are worth cancelling your weekend plans for.

If you binged the Tinder Swindler on Netflix in one sitting or stayed up late to complete the riveting Impeachment on Disney+ Hotstar, you’re well on your way to becoming a true-crime addict. So, here is a list of four true crime docu-series that are worth cancelling your weekend plans for. Or maybe you could invite your friends over and convert them into fans of the genre, too?

Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel (2021)

If you haven’t been living under a rock, you might have heard of college student Elisa Lam who went missing from the notorious Cecil Hotel in Los Angeles while on vacation. Over time Lam’s mysterious and bizarre disappearance from the hotel that housed serial killers, prisoners, and other outcasts, has become a popular puzzle for internet sleuths. However, this docuseries on Netflix examines various facets of the case across 4 episodes with a measure of objectivity and an empathetic lens.

The Golden State Killer terrorised the state of California in the 1970s-80s by committing numerous murders, rapes, and burglaries. Adapted from the book written by the late Michelle McNamara, the six-episode docuseries streaming on Disney+ Hotstar oscillates between her meticulous investigations into the identity of the perpetrator along with an examination of the way her work affected her. Told with care and thoroughness, the critically acclaimed docuseries also created awareness that led to the capture of the Golden State Killer in 2018.

If an anthological series that focuses on heinous crimes that shook the world is what intrigues you, then this eight-episode series streaming on Voot Select is right up your alley. Directed by the masterful Ridley Scott, the show is marked by his signature visual style. The scene-of-the-crime point of view, along with exclusive interviews and unaired footage, gives the viewers an experience similar to witnessing these events as were unfolding. Each episode takes a deep dive into earth-shattering events such as the murder of John Lennon and the Raegan assassination attempt, the DC snipers, the Unabomber, and much more. This show is worth missing a few hours of sleep.

India has admittedly had its fair share of scams and cons over the years. While you might be grateful for not having fallen for such white-collar crimes, many have not been as fortunate. This show relies on first-hand victim accounts, expert opinions, archival footage, and thorough research to unearth the modus operandi of such con artists. Covering topics like phishing, loan fraud, the Ketan Parekh scam, and cryptocurrency cons, this eight-episode show spans two seasons and is streaming on Discovery plus.

Now that you’ve entered the realm of true crime, there’s no turning back. Add these shows to your streaming queue, make some popcorn, put on your sleuthing cap, and dive right in.

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