Credit: Netflix
3 min read
True crime is one of the most popular documentary genres out there – and with good reason. It makes for undeniably compelling viewing, but if you’re looking for one that focuses on women (and not just as the victim at the centre of the case), you might want to check out these seven series…
True crime documentaries are undeniably fascinating. From the escapism of a dramatic story to the thrill of forensic analysis and the catharsis of conviction, there are plenty of reasons these real-life stories keep us hooked – and our appetite for the genre shows no signs of abating.
But one factor that makes them problematic is that they often feature murders, and more often than not with women as the victims. This can be tiring, even triggering, to watch again and again. If you’re craving something with all the tension and intrigue of a true crime documentary, but without the murder of a woman as its focus, you’ll be pleased to hear that there are some alternatives.
From elaborate scammers to catfishing, cults and debates around power dynamics, these true crime documentaries centre around (living) women. Read on for seven series to add to your watchlist.
Dancing For The Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult
This Netflix docuseries follows a group of TikTok dancers in LA who sign up to 7M, a management company that’s also a ‘by invitation only’ church. Many believe it to be a cult, and the series features testimonies from former members – as well as friends and family members of current members – to explore this. A dark, sad and fascinating tale.
Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare
The Netflix adaptation of the hit podcast, this series focuses on Kirat Assi, whose online chats with a handsome cardiologist, Bobby, blossom into a love affair. Even after years of correspondence, the pair never meet – Bobby always has an excuse, including being shot and entering witness protection. It turns out that Assi is the victim of an elaborate catfishing scheme that lasted for 10 years.
The Inventor: Out For Blood In Silicon Valley
This documentary tells the story of Elizabeth Holmes and her company, Theranos, which specialised in the revolutionary creation of at-home labs for blood testing. At its peak, Theranos was valued at $9 billion (£6.95bn), with Holmes lauded as a female version of Steve Jobs and other Silicon Valley masterminds. But then, the entire project crumbled under accusations of fraud. This series charts its meteoric rise and dramatic fall.
The Tinder Swindler
You might know Simon Leviev (legal name: Shimon Hayut) by his more famous moniker: the Tinder Swindler. His elaborate scam involved wooing women with luxurious dates, designer clothing and private jets – and then asking for money urgently. He racked up an estimated $10 million (£7.7m). This documentary tells the stories of the women he conned – including the one who eventually tricked the swindler himself.
LuLaRich
This documentary tells the story of LuLaRoe, the American clothing line that was accused of being a pyramid scheme. It centres on DeAnne Brady and Mark Stidham, the husband-and-wife duo behind the company, who tell the story of how they built the company then saw retailers abandon it as part of the fallout from the controversial investigation.
Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal
Familiar faces, including actors Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman (who ended up serving prison time), appear in this fraud documentary. It exposes the story of how rich families in the US bought scholarships from top universities to gain entry for their children, falsifying applications and paying more than $25 million (£19.3) between 2011 and 2018 to the scheme that masterminded the scam.
Tell Them You Love Me
This Louis Theroux-produced Netflix series tells the complex true tale of Anna Stubblefield and her relationship with her non-verbal student, Derrick Johnson. Stubblefield is a married white professor while Johnson is a Black student with cerebral palsy, and when the latter’s mother alleges that he is incapable of consent, it leads to widespread debate over power dynamics, race, consent and disability.
Images: Netflix
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