The streaming service, Netflix, has started a new and popular trend on the platform. Netflix’s releases of their own-directed shows and movies, called Netflix Originals, have caught a great deal of views. More recently, Netflix Originals have been releasing documentaries that cover a range of topics; from true crime to pop culture to the outdoors. 

True Crime:

Netflix has aired many true-crime documentaries that have taken the media by a storm, two of which have attracted more attention than others. 

Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story

Jeffery Dahmer, the famed serial killer and cannibal, has his disturbing life told through a Netflix Originals series called “Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story ”. Directed mainly by the point of view of his victims, viewers are captivated by the horrifying actions of the deranged man and how his crimes played out, leading to the show being shared across many platforms. 

Conversations with a Killer: The John Wayne Gacy Tapes

Never-before-heard audio from the interrogations of the serial killer, John Wayne Gacy, are featured in the Netflix-directed series, “Conversations with a Killer: The John Wayne Gacy Tapes”. 

When describing Gacy and the documentary, Netflix quotes: “He dined with the powerful. He preyed on the vulnerable. Beneath a smiling exterior was the horrifying darkness of a sadistic serial killer.”

Pop Culture:

Blonde

The latest documentary to hit the platform, “Blonde”, follows the rise to fame and the epic demise of the actress Marilyn Monroe. The 2 hour, 46 minute film exploits a horrifying depiction of the Hollywood icon. Revealing the heavy truths behind the star’s life, the movie depicts Monroe’s glamor, humanity, and vulnerability as a young, beautiful female star. 

White Hot: The Rise and Fall of Abrecrombie and Fitch 

Dive into the drama of a peak trend from the late 90s with “White Hot: The Rise and Fall of Abercrombie and Fitch”. A prolific documentary exploring the store’s rollercoaster ride within American culture, the movie unpacks the all-American brand, which built clout based on the exclusion of race, class, and just about anything else it could. 

The Outdoors:

My Octopus Teacher

“My Octopus Teacher” is an Oscar-Winning film that follows the story of Craig Foster. Foster is a nature documentary filmmaker, naturalist, and founder of Sea Change Project. He creates an unlikely friendship with a common octopus, who shares the mysteries of her world. 

Netflix offers a wider range of documentaries than only these three topics. Hence, it’s best to enter the streaming platform yourself and see what subjects interest you the most. 

Design by: Sara Durnill