True Crime Documentary backdrop

True Crime Documentary movies

Real cases and investigations, driven by evidence, timelines, suspects, and unfolding revelations.

Deliver Us from Evil

1. Deliver Us from Evil

Crime Documentary True Crime Documentary
7.9
20061h 41min

Overview

Documentary filmmaker Amy Berg investigates the life of 30-year pedophile Father Oliver O'Grady and exposes the corruption inside the Catholic Church that allowed him to abuse countless children. Victims' stories and a disturbing interview with O'Grady offer a view into the troubled mind of the spiritual leader who moved from parish to parish gaining trust ... all the while betraying so many.

Themes

Institutional secrecy, Protecting reputation, Systemic abuse awareness, Survivor testimony, Transparency versus concealment, Power dynamics in leadership

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room

2. Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room

Documentary True Crime Documentary
7.6
20051h 50min

Overview

A documentary about the Enron corporation, its faulty and corrupt business practices, and how they led to its fall.

Themes

Stock market volatility, Securities mispricing, Bankrupt status, Capitalism and scandal, Profits surge risk

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer

3. Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer

Documentary Crime True Crime Documentary Serial Killer Crime
7.1
20031h 29min

Overview

British documentarian Nick Broomfield creates a follow-up piece to his 1992 documentary of the serial killer Aileen Wuornos, a highway prostitute who was convicted of killing six men in Florida between 1989 and 1990. Interviewing an increasingly mentally unstable Wuornos, Broomfield captures the distorted mind of a murderer whom the state of Florida deems of sound mind -- and therefore fit to execute. Throughout the film, Broomfield includes footage of his testimony at Wuornos' trial.

Themes

Death penalty scrutiny, Post-conviction appeals, Trauma under trial, Legal strategy under pressure, Finances and ethics in defense, State vs defense tension

Available on

Amazon Video
The Roku Channel
Plex Channel
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Capturing the Friedmans

4. Capturing the Friedmans

Documentary Crime True Crime Documentary Con Artist Crime
7.6
20031h 47min

Overview

An Oscar nominated documentary about a middle-class American family who is torn apart when the father Arnold and son Jesse are accused of sexually abusing numerous children. Director Jarecki interviews people from different sides of this tragic story and raises the question of whether they were rightfully tried when they claim they were innocent and there was never any evidence against them.

Themes

Middle-class vulnerability, Coercive interrogation, Family under scrutiny, Memory and testimony, Public accusation and doubt

Available on

HBO Max
HBO Max Amazon Channel
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.