Netflix subscribers have been engrossed by the infamous Menendez brothers case after the recent series.
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story delves into the events leading up to the brothers murdering their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, and the fallout that ensued.
The true crime drama series presents the events from the viewpoint of key individuals involved in the case and is followed up by a documentary on the streaming platform released on October 7. It features interviews with both Erik and Lyle Menendez from prison.
But what should viewers watch once they’ve finished these? Here are some suggestions for more gripping documentaries to stream now for those who enjoyed The Menendez Brothers.
The Staircase looks at the case of Michael Peterson (Image: Netflix)
Don’t miss…
The Staircase
Similar to the Menendez case, The Staircase has been presented as both a documentary and a true crime drama series. The 2022 series boasts a star-studded cast including Colin Farrell and Toni Collette, but it was the docuseries that was released first and is arguably more worth watching.
It follows the case of Michael Peterson, a novelist accused of murdering his wife Kathleen in 2001 after she was discovered at the bottom of a staircase in their home. Peterson called emergency services claiming his wife had fallen down the stairs, but authorities were sceptical.
They accused him of beating his wife to death and charged him with murder.
Filmmakers were granted unprecedented access to Peterson himself, as well as his family, defence team, and the courtroom as the drama unfolded. Initially, Kathleen’s family also participated in the project. The series includes three additional episodes, created from new footage gathered ten years after Kathleen’s death, when a shocking twist emerged in the case.
This documentary is a must-see for ‘true’ crime enthusiasts, sparking debate amongst viewers and scrutinises the authorities, justice system, and their impact on all parties involved.
The Staircase is now available to stream on .
Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez
This 2020 three-part documentary series tells the tragic story of Aaron Hernandez.
Through interviews with friends, officials, lawyers, journalists, and former teammates, the documentary explores the rise and fall of the former NFL star.
The Boston Globe praised the documentary, calling it “the finest video documentary yet on the Hernandez tragedy, Killer Inside is richly enhanced by archival footage.”
Hernandez played for the New England Patriots from 2010 until 2013, when he was charged with the murder of his friend and semi-professional American football player Odin Lloyd, whose body was discovered at an industrial park near Hernandez’s home. Geno McDermott, a filmmaker, used the Freedom of Information Act to gain access to recordings of Hernandez’s prison phone calls, many of which feature in the documentary.
The exploration of Hernandez’s crimes, his troubled history, and his playing career make for riveting viewing.
Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez is available on .
The rise and fall of Aaron Hernandez is chronicled in a Netflix documentary (Image: Getty Images North America)
Long Shot
With a runtime of just 40 minutes, is the shortest title on this list but its story will linger long after viewing.
Long Shot tells the improbable tale of how Larry David’s HBO comedy series Curb Your Enthusiasm played a crucial role in a murder investigation. In August 2003, Juan Catalan was arrested for the murder of Martha Puebla, a witness at a gangster’s hearing who happened to be Juan’s brother.
Catalan was arrested after fitting the facial composite described by a witness. However, the documentary reveals an unexpected twist in the case. If you’re in the mood for a brief story where justice triumphs, start here.
Long Shot is available on .
McMillion$
Moving away from murder, McMillions delves into the perhaps lesser known McDonald’s Monopoly game scam.
Between 1989 and 2001, there were no legitimate winners of the game’s million-dollar prizes in the US. Why? A mysterious figure known as Uncle Jerry was orchestrating a $24m fraud.
The docuseries features interviews with the FBI and other authorities who were alerted to suspicious activities, as well as bogus winners and those involved in each aspect of the crime.
Special Agent Doug Mathews, who worked on the case, quickly becomes an audience favourite from the first episode.
McMillions sheds light on a lesser-known case and while it may not be the most gruesome crime on this list, it is equally captivating.
McMillion$ is available for streaming on Now TV.
Telemarketer$
Telemarketers shares several similarities with McMillions. Both titles end with a dollar sign for marketing purposes, both are produced by HBO, and both uncover intriguing stories that you likely knew very little about.
You’ve probably heard of telemarketers and have a general idea of what they do, but the reality of what was happening at one particular telemarketing company is almost unbelievable.
Telemarketers was created by former employees of the Civic Development Group, including Sam Lipman-Stern, and follows their discovery that the money they believed was being raised for charities to support police and firefighters was actually going into their employers’ pockets.
Like Special Agent Doug, Telemarketers also has a breakout star in Patrick ‘Pat’ Pespas, who was one of the company’s top telemarketers until he decided they needed to be exposed.
Telemarketers is streaming on Now TV.