There's no question that true crime is one of the most popular genres of film and television. From slasher films adapted from the lives of notorious serial killers, to gangster films, to stories from the perspective of law enforcement, there's no end to real life content based on true crime. There's little comfort in watching these films and shows, as the viewer can't reassure themselves that "it's just a movie," and while the titles on this list can be disturbing, upsetting and scary, they are some of the best representations of this genre.
The Act
The murder of DeeDee Blanchard was a story that captivated the nation. The idea that her daughter, Gypsy Rose, along with her boyfriend, would murder her mother in such a disturbing manner was unthinkable. That is until the truth about their house of horrors came to light.
Gypsy Rose was a victim of Munchausen syndrome by proxy at the hands of her mother, confined to a wheelchair and forced to undergo endless, unnecessary medical procedures in order to inspire sympathy and solicit donations. The Hulu series perfectly captures the tension and the disturbing conditions within the Blanchard household, making The Act an absolute must-watch.
American Crime Story
Both seasons of the Ryan Murphy series cover an infamous crime that received heavy media attention. The first eason, entitled The People V. O.J. Simpson focused on the trial of O.J. Simpson for the murder of his wife Nicole Brown Simpson. The second season, entitled The Assassination of Gianni Versace, focused on serial killer Andrew Cunanan and his obsession with, and subsequent murder of, fashion designer Gianni Versace.
Both seasons delve deeper into the minds of the accused and the backstories of the victims, with Season 1 focusing on the legal proceedings, and Season 2 looking at the events leading up to the murder. While they both deal with different aspects of true crime, they are equally captivating.
Mindhunter
The smash hit Mindhunter was one of Netflix's most talked about shows when Season 1 was released in 2017. The series takes place in the late '70s and early '80s, focusing on the development of the Behavioral Science Unit at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. During the show's first season, the story centers around the creation of the BSU, with the agents interviewing real serial killers, including Edmund Kemper and Richard Speck.
Mindhunter takes a gritty look into the mind of serial killers, as well as the conception of the famous branch of the FBI. The show is chilling and features exceptional performances, particularly by Cameron Britton who plays killer Kemper.
Zodiac
The David Fincher film Zodiac focuses on the eponymous killer who was active in the San Francisco Bay Area in the late '60s and early '70s. What makes the Zodiac film interesting is the fact that the true killer was never caught; therefore, no concrete conclusion to the film is possible.
Zodiac focuses on the real life journalists who received the infamous cypher letters from the killer, as well as the law enforcement officials investigating the case. The film is based on the 1986 book of the same name written by Robert Graysmith, played in the film by Jake Gyllenhaal, giving a firsthand account of the events featured in Zodiac.
Alpha Dog
The 2006 film has an all-star cast, including Sharon Stone, Bruce Willis, Justin Timberlake and Olivia Wilde. The film is based on the true story of the murder of Nicholas Markowitz, who was held for ransom in exchange for a debt his brother owed a drug dealer.
In the film, all the names are changed, but each person from the real life case is represented in Alpha Dog, with many of the film's details being exact. Alpha Dog is disturbing, particularly the murder scene, but overall it is a well-written, highly engrossing film that accurately depicts the events leading up to the murder of the character representing Markowitz, played brilliantly by Anton Yelchin.
Monster
Based on the life of infamous serial killer Aileen Wuornos, Monster was an enormous hit when it was released in 2003, particularly due to Charlize Theron's award winning performance in the leading role. The film follows Aileen as she meets and falls in love with a new partner, Selby, based on the real life partner of Wuornos, Tyria Moore.
Monster is a disturbing look into the murders committed by Wuornos and the unsettling circumstances that surround them. It can be a bit of a hard watch, but it is a must for any fan of true crime.
My Friend Dahmer
Based on the graphic novel of the same name by John Backderf, My Friend Dahmer takes a look at the life of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer before his killings began. Backderf was a classmate of Dahmer's in high school and gives a firsthand account of the killer's bizarre behavior and tragic home life.
The story chronicles Dahmer's obsession with death as he kills animals and dissolves them in chemicals in a nearby shed. Backderf outlines Dahmer's growing alcoholism, depression and self-isolation as he watches his friends move on from high school and live more conventional lives. The film is an incredible look at the formation of a notorious serial killer and is an understated example of true crime.