I Am a Killer

Docuseries: I am a Killer
Available on Netflix
5/5 Stars

Knowing that every inmate in this series is safely locked behind bars did not take away from the “creep” factor of it. I am a Killer is dark, twisted, and creepy. It’s also fascinating and I was really disappointed when it came to an end. The series is super well done, as it brings together interviews from the convicted, interested parties, detectives, prosecutors, family members, and the community. You will see and hear it all and, if you’re at all like me, you’ll be completely gripped…..and confused.

Each segment is 45-50 minutes long and views like a mini-movie. No narrator is available (lending to the “creep” factor I mentioned above.) Snippets of facts are written on the screen, detailing the crime, while interspersing personal interviews with various people, most notably including the person convicted of the crime.

The interviews with the incarcerated is what is most compelling about this series. Not a single one of them claims innocence, but the degree to which they take personal responsibility for their actions differs from person to person. Also very compelling are the wildly different views presented of the crimes themselves. Once you finish listening to the convicted person you might think one thing, and then listening to the cops involved or family members and you’ll question everything. It’s very psychologically interesting.

The cinematography is super well done, with shots of the prisons and crime scenes. The interviews don’t leave much out, so viewers will certainly feel a lot of the pain from the crimes.

In the end, the entire series is so well done, you won’t want to stop watching it. I wanted to hear all sides of the stories presented. I wanted a conclusion. My only small complaint was that some sides weren’t told. (In other words, sometimes families would not talk on camera, or other people involved. I can’t say that I blame them, but sometimes bits were missing that left me wanting to hear the “whole” story.)

If you enjoyed Unsolved Mysteries from the 90s or some of the 20/20 true-crime stories, you will enjoy this series. If you’re like me, you’ll feel some guilt over giving these people a voice. That said, they also give a voice to families and friends, and I think it’s important from a psycho-social perspective to try to understand why people do what they do.

You will learn a lot watching it and I hope that you do. Leave me a comment after you watch it and let me know what you think!