When a disturbing video of a man torturing cats is published online a group of Internet investigators attempt to track him down sending them down a rabbit hole they were not prepared for.
If you want to experience the kinds of jaw drops Mr O and I did when we binge watched this documentary then it’s best you know as little as possible so I won’t go into much more detail. If you enjoy true crime and looking at something a bit more creative this is definitely a unique take on the genre.
The documentary follows both the online investigators who take it on themselves to try and find the source of the videos and the authorities who find themselves baffled by a gruesome murder. It looks at the specific skills that the amateur sleuths have and their dedication to getting to the bottom of things . It also looks at how the investigation takes over their lives, how their mental health is impacted and the potential for things to real life.
There is also a question posed as to whether the attention of the online investigators is part of what fuels the perpetrator and if some responsibility for his behaviour needs to be taken by those trying to find him. On the other side the investigators attempts to bring police attention to the videos is rebuffed and there is a question from the investigators around whether earlier intervention may have saved lives.
If that wasn’t enough the originator of the videos is a very interesting character and as he becomes more known his life is just as bizarre and engrossing as the investigation.
I will warn you that this is a disturbing watch and probably not for the squeamish. You never see anything truly gruesome but the idea itself is very upsetting. Watching it definitely gave me a bit of an icky feeling but I was completely sucked in and desperate to find out what was going to happen (and yes, I probably could have Googled it).
As true crime documentaries go, this one is worth the hype and I found it very compelling. It won’t be for everyone but if this genre is your thing, check it out.
4/5